Question

The compound known as butylated hydroxytoluene, abbreviated as BHT, contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. A 1.376 g sample of BHT was combusted in an oxygen rich environment to produce 4.122 g of CO, (g) and 1.350 g of H, O(g). Insert subscripts to complete the empirical formula of BHT empirical formula:

Answer 1

No of mol of CO2 = 4.122/44 = 0.094 mol

No of mol of C = 0.094 mol

No of mol of H2O = 1.35/18 = 0.075 mol

No of mol of H = 0.075*2 = 0.15 mol

amount of O in sample = 1.376-(0.094*12+0.15*1) = 0.098 g

no of mol of O in sample = 0.098/16 = 0.006125 mol

SIMPLEST RATIO

C = 0.094/0.006125 = 15.4

H = 0.15/0.006125 = 24.5

O = 0.006125/0.006125 = 1

SIMPLEST whole number

C = 31

H = 49

o = 2

Empirical formula = C₃₁H₄₉O₂