The foul odor of rancid butter is due largely to butyric acid, a compound contai

Question

The foul odor of rancid butter is due largely to butyric acid, a

compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Combustion

analysis of a 4.30 g sample of butyric acid produced 8.59 g CO2 and

3.52 g H2O. Find the empirical formula.

must show work!!!!

Explanation / Answer

Let its empirical formula be CxHyOz 3.52grams of H2O => 0.1956moles of H2O 8.59grams of CO2 =>0.19523moles of CO2 4.3/(12x+y+16z) = 1 CxHyOz + uO2 ----> 0.19523CO2 + 0.1956H2O x = 0.19523 y = 2*0.1956 = 0.3911 z+2u = (2*0.19523)+(0.1956) 12x+y+16z = 4.3 =>z = 0.097885101 x/z = 1.994453402 = 2 approximately y/z = 3.995614318 = 4 approzimately If z = n => x = 2n and y = 4n So empirical formula = C2nH4nOn

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