Question

An organometallic on analysis was found to contain, C = 64.4%, H5.5% and Fe = 29.9%. Determine its empirical formula. (At. Mass of Fe = 56)

Answer 1

Element	%	Atomic mass	No. of moles of element	Simplest molar ratio	Simplest whole number molar ratio
C	64.4	12	\(\frac{64.4}{12}\) = 5.36	\(\frac{5.36}{0.53}\) = 10.1	10
H	5.50	1	\(\frac{5.50}{1}\) = 5.50	\(\frac{5.50}{0.53}\) = 10.4	10
Fe	29.9	56	\(\frac{29.9}{56}\) = 0.53	\(\frac{5.50}{0.53}\) = 1	1

Therefore, Empirical formula = C₁₀H₁₀Fe