Determination of Empirical formula:- The determination of empirical formula of an organic compound involves the following steps:
1. From quantitative analysis, the percentage of the various elements present in the compound is found out.
2. By dividing the percentage of each element by its atomic mass, the relative number of atoms of various elements is known.
3. Divide the number obtained by the smallest of them so as to get a simple atomic ratio.
4. Multiply the simple atomic ratio of fraction by some suitable integer to get a whole number ratio.
5. The symbols of various elements are written side by side with the above whole numbers as subscripts to the lower side of each to get empirical formula of the compound.
Determination of Molecular formula:- The determination of molecular formula of an organic compound involves the following steps:
1. Calculate the empirical formula as stated above.
2. Determine the empirical formula mass by adding the atomic masses of the constituent atoms taken in the ratio in which they are present.
3. Divide the molecular mass of the compound by empirical formula mass to get the value of n.
4. Multiply the empirical formula with n so as to get the molecular formula of the compound.
