Combustion Analysis

Problem #1: A 1.50 g sample of hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion

to produce 4.40 g of CO2 and 2.70 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of this
compound?
Problem #2: A 0.250 g sample of hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion
to produce 0.845 g of CO2 and 0.173 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of
this compound?
Problem #3: A 0.2500 g sample of a compound known to contain carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen undergoes complete combustion to produce 0.3664 g of
CO2 and 0.1500 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of this compound?
Problem #4: Quinone, which is used in the dye industry and in photography, is
an organic compound containing only C, H, and O. What is the empirical formula
of the compound if you find that 0.105 g of the compound gives 0.257 g of CO 2
and 0.0350 g of H2O when burned completely? Given a molecular weight of
approximately 108 g/mol, what is its molecular formula?

Problem #5: A 1.000 g sample of a compound is combusted in excess oxygen and the
products are 2.492 g of CO2 and 0.6495 g of H2O.
a) Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
b) Given that its molar mass is 388.46 g/mol, determine the compound's molecular formula.
Problem #6: A carbohydrate is a compound composed solely of carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen. When 10.7695 g of an unknown carbohydrate (MW =
128.2080 g/mol) was subjected to combustion analysis with excess oxygen, it
produced 29.5747 g CO2 and 12.1068 g H2O. What is its molecular formula?
Problem #7: Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, tea, and certain soft drinks,
contains C, H, O, and N. Combustion of 1.000 mg of caffeine produces 1.813 mg
CO2, 0.4639 mg H2O, and 0.2885 mg N2. Estimate the molar mass of caffeine,
which lies between 150 and 200 g/mol.
Problem #8: A 1.50 gram sample of cadaverine gives 3.23 g of CO 2, 1.58 g of
N2O5, and 1.865 g of H2O. Its molar mass is 102.2 g/mol. Determine the empirical
and molecular formulas.
Problem #9: Lysine is an amino acid which has the following elemental
composition: C, H, O, N. In one experiment, 2.175 g of lysine was combusted to
produce 3.94 g of CO2 and 1.89 g H2O. In a separate experiment, 1.873 g of
lysine was burned to produce 0.436 g of NH 3. The molar mass of lysine is
approximately 150 g/mol. Determine the empirical and molecular formula of
lysine.
Problem #10: Compound A contains 5.2% by mass of nitrogen as well as C, H
and O. Combustion of 0.0850 g of compound A gave 0.224 g of CO 2 and 0.0372 g
of H2O. Calculate the empirical formula of A.

Problem #11: 0.487 grams of quinine (molar mass = 324 g/mol) is combusted and found to
produce 1.321 g CO2, 0.325 g H2O and 0.0421 g nitrogen. Determine the empirical and
molecular formulas.
Problem #12: 95.6 mg of menthol (molar mass = 156 g/mol) are burned in oxygen gas to
give 269 mg CO2 and 110 mg H2O. What is menthol's empirical formula?
Problem #13: 0.1005 g of menthol is combusted, producing 0.2829 g of CO2 and 0.1159 g of
H2O. What is menthol's empirical formula? (Yes, the answer will be the same as #12.)
Problem #14: The combustion of 40.10 g of a compound which contains only C,
H, Cl and O yields 58.57 g of CO2 and 14.98 g of H2O. Another sample of the
compound with a mass of 75.00 g is found to contain 22.06 g of Cl. What is the
empirical formula of the compound?
Problem #15: The combustion of 1.38 grams of a compound which contains C,
H, O and N yields 1.72 grams of CO2 and 1.18 grams of H2O. Another sample of
the compound with a mass of 22.34 grams is found to contain 6.75 grams of O.
What is the empirical formula of the compound?
Problem #16: The combustion of 3.42 g of a compound is known to contain
only nitrogen and hydrogen gave 9.82 g of NO 2 and 3.85 g of water. Determine
the empirical formula of this compound.
Problem #17: A compound with a known molecular weight (146.99 g/mol) that
contains only C, H, and Cl was studied by combustion analysis. When a 0.367 g
sample was combusted, 0.659 g of CO2 and 0.0892 g of H2O formed. What are
the empirical and molecular formulas?
Problem #18: A 2.52 g sample of a compound containing carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur was burned in excess oxygen gas to yield 4.36
grams of CO2 and 0.892 grams of H2O as the only carbon and hydrogen products
respectively. Another sample of the same compound of mass 4.14 g yielded 2.60
g of SO3 as the only sulfur containing product. A third sample of mass 5.66 g was
burned under different conditions to yield 2.80 g of HNO 3 as the only nitrogen
containing product. Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
Problem #19: Burning 11.2 mL (measured at STP) of a gas known to contain
only carbon and hydrogen, we obtained 44.0 mg CO 2 and 0.0270 g H2O. Find the
molecular formula of the gas.
Problem #20: The osmotic pressure of a solution containing 2.04 g of an
unknown molecular compound dissolved in 175.0 mL of solution at 25.0 C is
2.13 atm. The combustion of 22.08 g of the unknown compound produced 36.26
g CO2 and 14.85 g H2O

Answers for combustion analysis worksheet

Problem #1: A 1.50 g sample of hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion to produce
4.40 g of CO2 and 2.70 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of this compound?
Solution:
1) Determine the grams of carbon in 4.40 g CO2 and the grams of hydrogen in 2.70 g H2O.
carbon: 4.40 g x (12.011 g / 44.0098 g) = 1.20083 g
hydrogen: 2.70 g x (2.0158 g / 18.0152 g) = 0.3021482 g
2) Convert grams of C and H to their respective amount of moles.
carbon: 1.20083 g / 12.011 g/mol = 0.09998 mol
hydrogen: 0.3021482 g / 1.0079 g/mol = 0.2998 mol
3) Divide each molar amount by the lowest value, seeking to modify the above molar
amounts into small, whole numbers.
carbon: 0.09998 mol / 0.09998 mol = 1
hydrogen: 0.2998 mol / 0.09998 mol = 2.9986 = 3
We have now arrived at the answer: the empirical formula of the substance is CH3
Problem #2: A 0.250 g sample of hydrocarbon undergoes complete combustion to produce
0.845 g of CO2 and 0.173 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of this compound?
Solution:
1) Determine the grams of C in 0.845 g CO2 and the grams of H in 0.173 g H2O.
carbon: 0.845 g x (12.011 g / 44.0098 g) = 0.2306 g

hydrogen: 0.173 g x (2.0158 g / 18.0152 g) = 0.01935 g

2) Convert grams of C and H to their respective amount of moles.
carbon: 0.2306 g / 12.011 g / mol = 0.01920 mol
hydrogen: 0.01935 g / 1.0079 g/mol = 0.01921 mol
3) Divide each molar amount by the lowest value, seeking to modify the above molar
amounts into small, whole numbers.
carbon: 0.01920 mol / 0.01920 mol = 1
hydrogen: 0.01921 mol / 0.01920 mol = 1
We have now arrived at the answer: the empirical formula of the substance is CH.
Problem #3: A 0.2500 g sample of a compound known to contain carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen undergoes complete combustion to produce 0.3664 g of CO2 and 0.1500 g of H2O.
What is the empirical formula of this compound?
Solution:
1a) Determine the grams of carbon in 0.3664 g CO2 and the grams of hydrogen in 0.1500 g
H2O.
carbon: 0.3664 g x (12.011 g / 44.0098 g) = 0.1000 g
hydrogen: 0.1500 g x (2.0158 g / 18.0152 g) = 0.01678 g
1b) Determine the grams of oxygen in the sample by subtraction.
0.2500 - (0.1000 g + 0.01678) = 0.1332 g
Notice that the subtraction is the mass of the sample minus the sum of the carbon and
hydrogen in the sample. Also, it is quite typical of these problems to specify that only C, H
and O are involved.
A warning: sometimes the problem will give the CO2 and H2O values, but FAIL to say that C,
H, and O are involved. Make sure you add the C and H values (or sometimes the C, H, and N
values) and check against the mass of the sample. Any difference would be an amount of
oxygen present (or it might be a mistake!! Keep double checking your work as you do each
calculation.)
2) Convert grams of C, H and O to their respective amount of moles.
carbon: 0.3554 g / 12.011 g / mol = 0.008325 mol
hydrogen: 0.01678 g / 1.0079 g/mol = 0.01665 mol

oxygen: 0.1332 g / 15.9994 g/mol = 0.008327 mol

3) Divide each molar amount by the lowest value, seeking to modify the molar amounts into
small, whole numbers.
carbon: 0.008325 mol / 0.008325 mol = 1
hydrogen: 0.01665 mol / 0.008325 mol = 2
oxygen: 0.008327 mol / 0.008325 mol = 1
We have now arrived at the answer: the empirical formula of the substance is CH2O
Problem #4: Quinone, which is used in the dye industry and in photography, is an organic
compound containing only C, H, and O. What is the empirical formula of the compound if
you find that 0.105 g of the compound gives 0.257 g of CO2 and 0.0350 g of H2O when
burned completely? Given a molecular weight of approximately 108 g/mol, what is its
molecular formula?
Comment: as a reminder, the following link goes to a discussion of how to calculate the
molecular formula once you get the empirical formula.
Solution:
1) mass of each element:
carbon 0.257 g x (12.011 / 44.0098) = 0.07014 g
hydrogen 0.0350 g x (2.016 / 18.015) = 0.00391674 g
oxygen 0.105 g minus (0.07014+0.00391674) = 0.03094326 g
2) moles of each element:
carbon 0.07014 g / 12.011 g/mol = 0.005840 mol
hydrogen 0.00391674 g / 1.008 g/mol = 0.0038856 mol
oxygen 0.03094326 g / 16.00 g/mol = 0.0019340 mol
3) Look for smallest whole-number ratio:
carbon 0.005840 / 0.0019340 = 3
hydrogen 0.0038856 / 0.0019340 = 2
oxygen 0.0019340 / 0.0019340 = 1
4) Empirical formula:
C3H2O
5) Molecular formula:
the weight of C3H2O is 54

108 / 54 = 2
C6H4O2
Problem #5: A 1.000 g sample of a compound is combusted in excess oxygen and the
products are 2.492 g of CO2 and 0.6495 g of H2O.
a) Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
b) Given that its molar mass is 388.46 g/mol, determine the compound's molecular formula.
Solution:
1) mass of each element:
carbon 2.492 g x (12.011 / 44.0098) = 0.68011 g
hydrogen 0.6495 g x (2.016 / 18.015) = 0.07268343 g
oxygen 1.000 minus (0.68011+0.07268343) = 0.24720657 g
Notice that there was oxygen in the compound and that the problem did not tell you that.
2) moles of each element:
carbon 0.68011 g / 12.011 g/mol = 0.0566240 mol
hydrogen 0.07268343 g / 1.008 g/mol = 0.0721066 mol
oxygen 0.24720657 g / 16.00 g/mol = 0.01545 mol
3) Look for smallest whole-number ratio:
carbon 0.0566240 / 0.01545 = 3.665
hydrogen 0.0721066 / 0.01545 = 4.667
oxygen 0.01545 / 0.01545 = 1
Do NOT round these off. You should only round off with numbers very close to a whole
number. How close? Something like 2.995 goes to 3.
4) I want to change the numbers to improper fractions
carbon 3.665 = 11/3
hydrogen 4.667 = 14/3
oxygen 1 = 3/3
Sometimes, a textbook will "magically" tell you what factor to multiply by and you will
wonder why. Notice that 3.665 is three-and-two-thirds, 4.667 is four-and-two-thirds. I
changed everything to fractions to try and highlight why three is used.
5) Multiply by three to get the whole-number ratio:
11 : 14 : 3
empirical formula = C11H14O3

6) The weight of the empirical formula is 194:

388 / 194 = 2
the molecular formula is C22H28O6
Problem #6: A carbohydrate is a compound composed solely of carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen. When 10.7695 g of an unknown carbohydrate (MW = 128.2080 g/mol) was
subjected to combustion analysis with excess oxygen, it produced 29.5747 g CO2 and
12.1068 g H2O. What is its molecular formula?
Solution:
1) Carbon:
mass of CO2 = 29.5747 g 0.6722 moles of CO2 0.6722 moles of C 8.066 g of C
2) Hydrogen:
mass of H2O = 12.107 g 0.67260 moles of H2O 1.3452 moles of H 1.3558 g of H
3) Oxygen:
mass of compound burnt = 10.770 g
mass of C + H = 9.422 g
10.770 g - 9.422 g = 1.348 g of O 0.08424 mol of O
4) Determine empirical and molecular formula:
molar ratio of C : H : O 0.6722 : 1.3452 : 0.08424
after dividing by the smallest
molar ratio of C : H : O 7.98 : 15.97 : 1.00
empirical formula is C8H16O
"empirical formula weight" = 96+16+16 = 128 which is the molecular weight so the
molecular formula is also
C8H16O
Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, tea, and certain soft drinks, contains C, H, O, and N.
Combustion of 1.000 mg of caffeine produces 1.813 mg CO2, 0.4639 mg H2O, and 0.2885 mg
N2. Estimate the molar mass of caffeine, which lies between 150 and 200 g/mol.

Solution: What we must determine is the molecular formula and the only way to get it with
the data given is to determine the empirical formula. One we have that, we can get the
"empirical formula weight" and multiply it by the proper scaling factor to get the molar mass.
Step One: determine the mass of each element present.
Carbon: 1.813 mg x (12.011 / 44.0098) = 0.4948 mg
Hydrogen: 0.4639 mg x (2.016 / 18.0152) = 0.0519 mg
Nitrogen: 0.2885 mg is given in problem
Oxygen: 1.000 mg minus (0.4948 + 0.519 + 0.2885) = 0.1648 mg
If the mass of N was given in terms of NH3, we would use the factor (14.007 / 17.031) to get
mass of N. If the mass of N was given as N2O5, we would use the factor (28.014 / 108.009) to
get the mass of N.
Step Two: Convert mass of each element to moles.
Carbon: 0.4948 mg 12.011 mg/mmol = 0.0412 mmol
Hydrogen: 0.0519 mg 1.008 mg/mmol = 0.0515 mmol
Nitrogen: 0.2885 mg 14.007 mg/mmol = 0.0206 mmol
Oxygen: 0.1648 mg 15.999 mg/mmol = 0.0103 mmol
Comment #1: notice that the mass for nitrogen is is given as mass of N2, but 14.007 (the
atomic weight) is used. Why? Answer: we are interested in moles of N atoms involved, NOT
moles of N2 molecules.
Comment #2: notice that I used the unit mg/mmol (milligrams per millimole) for the molar
mass. When milligram amounts of substance are used, using mg/mmol as the unit on the
molar mass (rather than g/mol) allows us to use the mass unit of mg rather than g. Note also
that the numerical value is not changed in using mg/mmol. That is because both the
numerator (grams) and the denominator (mol) of the original unit have been divided by 1000
to obtain the "milli" prefix.
Step Three: find the ratio of molar amounts, expressed in smallest, whole numbers.
Carbon: 0.0412 mmol 0.0103 mmol = 4
Hydrogen: 0.0515 mmol 0.0103 mmol = 5
Nitrogen: 0.0206 mmol 0.0103 mmol = 2
Oxygen: 0.0103 mmol 0.0103 mmol = 1
The empirical formula is C4H5N2O. Since the "EFW" of this is about 97, let's multiply by
two. This gives us a molar mass for caffeine of about 194. The value given in reference books
is 194.19.
A 1.50 gram sample of cadaverine gives 3.23 g of CO2, 1.58 g of N2O5, and 1.865 g of H2O.
Its molar mass is 102.2 g/mol. Determine the empirical and molecular formulas.
Step One: determine the mass of each element present.

Carbon: 3.23 g x (12.011 / 44.0098) = 0.8815 g

Hydrogen: 1.865 g x (2.016 / 18.0152) = 0.2087 g
Nitrogen: 1.58 g x (28.014 / 108.009) = 0.4098 g
Oxygen: 1.50 g minus (0.8815 + 0.2087 + 0.4098) = zero
Although the problem does not specifically mention oxygen, there may be some in the
compound. Consequently, make sure you check by adding the masses of the other elements
and subtracting the answer from the total mass of the starting compound. Any difference
would be the oxygen (or a mistake in the calculation to this point!!). If the masses add up
exactly to the starting total, as they do here, that's a nice indicator you've done the calculation
correctly (or committed two mistakes that canceled each other out!!).
Step Two: Convert mass of each element to moles.
Carbon: 0.8815 g 12.011 g/mol = 0.0734 mol
Hydrogen: 0.2087 g 1.008 g/mol = 0.207 mol
Nitrogen: 0.4098 g 14.007 g/mol = 0.02926 mol
Step Three: find the ratio of molar amounts, expressed in smallest, whole numbers.
Carbon: 0.0734 mol 0.02926 mol = 2.51
Hydrogen: 0.207 mol 0.02926 mol = 7.07
Nitrogen: 0.02926 mol 0.02926 mol = 1
Doubling each value gives C = 5, H = 14.14, N = 2, so the empirical formula is C5H14N2.
Lysine is an amino acid which has the following elemental composition: C, H, O, N. In one
experiment, 2.175 g of lysine was combusted to produce 3.94 g of CO2 and 1.89 g H2O. In a
separate experiment, 1.873 g of lysine was burned to produce 0.436 g of NH2. The molar
mass of lysine is 150 g/mol. Determine the empirical and molecular formula of lysine.
Step One: determine the mass of each element present.
Carbon: 3.94 g x (12.011 / 44.0098) = 1.0753 g
Hydrogen: 1.89 g x (2.016 / 18.0152) = 0.2115 g
Nitrogen: 0.436 g x (14.007 / 16.023) = 0.38114 g
Oxygen: cannot yet be done
Why can't the oxygen be determined yet? It is because our C, H, and N data come from TWO
different sources.
Step Two: Convert mass of each element to percentages.
Carbon: 1.0753 g 2.175 g = 49.44 %
Hydrogen: 0.2115 g 2.175 g = 9.72 %
Nitrogen: 0.38114 g 1.873 g = 19.17 %
Oxygen: 100 - (49.44 + 9.7 + 19.17) = 21.67 %
Step Three: Determine the moles of each element present in 100 g of lysine.

Carbon: 49.44 g 12.011 g/mol = 4.116 mol

Hydrogen: 9.72 g 1.008 g/mol = 9.643 mol
Nitrogen: 19.17 g 14.007 g/mol = 1.3686 mol
Oxygen: 21.67 g 15.9994 g/mol = 1.3544 mol
Step Four: find the ratio of molar amounts, expressed in smallest, whole numbers.
Carbon: 4.115 mol 1.3544 mol = 3.04
Hydrogen: 9.643 mol 1.3544 mol = 7.12
Nitrogen: 1.3686 mol 1.3544 mol = 1.01
Oxygen: 1.3544 mol 1.3544 mol = 1
The empirical formula is C3H7NO.
In order to determine the molecular formula, we need to know the "empirical formula
weight." This value is 73.1.
We see that the approximate molecular weight is just about double this value, leading to the
molecular formula of C6H14N2O2
Example #11: 0.487 grams of quinine (molar mass = 324 g/mol) is combusted and found to
produce 1.321 g CO2, 0.325 g H2O and 0.0421 g nitrogen. Determine the empirical and
molecular formulas.
Solution:
Carbon: 1.321 g x (12.011 44.0098) = 0.3605 g
Hydrogen: 0.325 g x (2.016 18.0152) = 0.0364 g
Nitrogen: 0.0421 g given in problem
Oxygen: 0.487 - (0.3605 + 0.0364 + 0.0421) = 0.0480 g
Carbon: 0.3605 g 12.011 g/mol = 0.030 mol
Hydrogen: 0.0364 g 1.008 g/mol = 0.036 mol
Nitrogen: 0.0421 g 14.007 g/mol = 0.003 mol
Oxygen: 0.0480 g 15.999 g/mol = 0.003 mol
Carbon: 0.030 0.003 = 10
Hydrogen: 0.036 0.003 = 12
Nitrogen: 0.003 0.003 = 1
Oxygen: 0.003 0.003 = 1
The empirical formula is C10H12NO, with an "EFW" of 162. This gives a scaling factor of 2,
so the molecular formula is C20H24N2O2.

Example #12: 95.6 mg of menthol (molar mass = 156 g/mol) are burned in oxygen gas to
give 269 mg CO2 and 110 mg H2O. What is menthol's empirical formula?
Solution:

Carbon: 269 mg x (12.011 44.0098) = 73.4 mg

Hydrogen: 110 mg x (2.016 18.0152) = 12.31 mg
Oxygen: 95.6 - (73.4 + 12.31) = 9.88 mg
Carbon: 73.4 mg 12.011 mg/mmol = 6.11 mmol
Hydrogen: 12.31 mg 1.008 mg/mmol = 12.21 mmol
Oxygen: 9.88 mg 15.999 mg/mmol = 0.617 mmol
Carbon: 6.11 0.617 = 9.9
Hydrogen: 12.21 0.617 = 19.8
Oxygen: 0.617 0.617 = 1
If we round off these values, we get an empirical formula of C10H20O. However, were we
correct to round the values off? For that, let us turn to the "EFW." If it equals the molar mass
(or requires a whole number scaling factor), then we are justified in rounding off.
The "EFW" equals 156, which is the molar mass, so the rounding off is shown to be valid.

Example #13: 0.1005 g of menthol is combusted, producing 0.2829 g of CO2 and 0.1159 g of
H2O. What is menthol's empirical formula? (Yes, the answer will be the same as #2. Just do
the calculations. OK?)
Solution:
Carbon: 0.2829 g x (12.011 44.0098) = 0.07721 g
Hydrogen: 0.1159 g x (2.016 18.0152) = 0.01297 g
Oxygen: 0.1005 - (0.07721 + 0.01297) = 0.01032 g
Carbon: 0.07721 g 12.011 g/mol = 0.006428 mol
Hydrogen: 0.01297 g 1.008 g/mol = 0.01287 mol
Oxygen: 0.01032 g 15.999 g/mol = 0.0006452 mol
Carbon: 0.006428 mol 0.0006452 mol = 9.96
Hydrogen: 0.01287 mol 0.0006452 mol = 19.94
Oxygen: 0.0006452 mol 0.0006452 mol = 1
Rounding off gives an empirical formula of C10H20O.
Problem #14: The combustion of 40.10 g of a compound which contains only C, H, Cl and O
yields 58.57 g of CO2 and 14.98 g of H2O. Another sample of the compound with a mass of
75.00 g is found to contain 22.06 g of Cl. What is the empirical formula of the compound?
Solution #1:
1) Get grams of each element:
Carbon: 58.57 g x (12.011 / 44.009) = 15.985 g of C in 40.10 g sample
Hydrogen: 14.98 g x (2.016 / 18.015) = 1.6764 g of H in 40.10 g sample

Oxygen: we leave this to later (see below for an interesting solution path that involves
determining the mass of oxygen.)
Chlorine: problem gives 22.06 g in 75.00 g sample
2) Let us determine the percent composition:
Carbon: 15.985 g / 40.10 g = 39.86%
Hydrogen: 1.6764 g / 40.10 = 4.18%
Chlorine: 22.06 / 75.00 = 29.41%
Oxygen: 100% - (39.86 + 4.18 +2 9.41) = 26.55%
3) Let us assume 100 g of the compound. In which case, the percentages above become
grams. Now, let us determine the moles of each (I'll skip typing the calcs):
C: 3.32 mol
H: 4.147 mol
O: 1.66 mol
Cl: 0.83 mol
4) Divide each by 0.83
C: 4
H: 5
O: 2
Cl: 1
The empirical formula is C4H5ClO2
Solution #2:
1) Determine mass of all four compounds in the 40.10 g sample:
Carbon: 15.985 g
Hydrogen: 1.676 g
Here comes the interesting way that is different from solution #1:
Chlorine: 40.10 g sample times (22.06 g Cl / 75.00 g sample) = 11.795 g
Oxygen: 40.10 g - 15.985 g - 1.676 g - 11.795 g = 10.644 g
Pretty slick, heh? The ChemTeam must confess that he did not figure this out on his own, but
learned it from an answer to this question on Yahoo Answers Chemistry. Also, notice how the
oxygen is determined by subtraction after everything else is calculated. This is the pattern in
combustion analysis.
2) Determine the moles of each (I'll skip typing the calcs):
C = 1.331 mol
H = 1.663 mol

Cl = 0.3327 mol
O = 0.6653 mol
Note that there is no need to assume 100 g of the compound and work from the percent
composition.
3) Divide all by the smallest to simplify:
C=4
H=5
Cl = 1
O=2
The empirical formula is C4H5ClO2

Problem #15: The combustion of 1.38 grams of a compound which contains C, H, O and N
yields 1.72 grams of CO2 and 1.18 grams of H2O. Another sample of the compound with a
mass of 22.34 grams is found to contain 6.75 grams of O. What is the empirical formula of
the compound?
1) Calculate grams of C and H:
carbon: 1.72 g times (12.011 / 44.009) = 0.4694 g of C
hydrogen: 1.18 g times (2.016 / 18.015) = 0.13205 g of H
oxygen: see next step
nitrogen: see next step
2) Calculate mass percent of each element:
carbon: 0.4694 g / 1.38 g = 34.01%
hydrogen: 0.13205 g / 1.38 g = 9.57%
oxygen: 6.75 g / 22.34 g = 30.215%
nitrogen: 100 - (34.01 + 9.57 + 30.215) = 26.205%
3) Assume 100 g of compound present. Therefore:
carbon: 34.01 g
hydrogen: 9.57 g
oxygen: 30.215 g
nitrogen: 26.205 g
4) Calculate moles:
carbon: 34.01 g / 12.011 g/mol = 2.832
hydrogen: 9.57 g / 1.008 g/mol = 9.494
oxygen: 30.215 g / 16.00 g/mol = 1.888
nitrogen: 20.205 g / 14.007 g/mol = 1.871

5) Look for smallest, whole-number ratio:

carbon: 2.832 / 1.871 = 1.5 (x 2 = 3)
hydrogen: 9.494 / 1.871 = 5 (x 2 = 10)
oxygen: 1.888 / 1.871 = 1 (x 2 = 1)
nitrogen: 1.871 / 1.871 = 1 (x 2 = 2)
6) Empirical formula:
C3H10N2O2

Problem #16: The combustion of 3.42 g of a compound is known to contain only nitrogen
and hydrogen gave 9.82 g of NO2 and 3.85 g of water. Determine the empirical formula of
this compound.
Solution:
1) Calculate moles of N and moles of H in the combustion products:
Moles N
9.82 g NO2 / 46.0 g/mol = 0.213 mol NO2
0.213 mol NO2 times (1 mol N/ 1 mol NO2) = 0.213 mol N
Moles H
3.85 g H2O / 18.0 g/mol = 0.213 mol H2O
0.213 mol H2O times (2 mol H/1 mol H2O ) = 0.428 mol H
2) Calculate the ratio of moles by dividing both by the smaller:
N 0.213 / 0.213 = 1
H 0.428 / 0.213 = 2
The empirical formula is NH2

Problem #17: A compound with a known molecular weight (146.99 g/mol) that contains only
C, H, and Cl was studied by combustion analysis. When a 0.367 g sample was combusted,
0.659 g of CO2 and 0.0892 g of H2O formed. What are the empirical and molecular formulas?
Solution:
1) Carbon:
0.659 g of CO2 has 0.659 /44 = 0.0150 moles of CO2
there is 1 mole of C in CO2 and all the C from the compound becomes CO2, so moles of C in
the compound = 0.0150 moles

mass of C = 0.0150 x 12 = 0.1797 g

2) Hydrogen:
0.089 g of H2O has 0.0892 / 18 = 0.0050 moles of H2O
there are 2 moles of H in H2O, so moles of H in the compound = 0.0099 moles
mass of H = 0.0099 x 1.0079 = 0.0100 g
3) Chlorine:
mass of H + C = 0.1897 g
mass of sample = 0.3670 g
mass of Cl by difference = 0.1773 g
moles of Cl = 0.0050 moles
4) Smallest whole-number ratio:
molar ratio of C : H : Cl = 0.0150 : 0.0099 : 0.0050
divide the ratio by the smallest number
molar ratio of C : H : Cl = 3.00 : 1.98 : 1
5) Formulas:
empirical formula is C3H2Cl
this has an "empirical formula weight" of (36+2+35.5) = 73.5 g
which is 1/2 the molecular mass
so the molecular formula is twice the empirical formula
C6H4Cl2

Problem #18: A 2.52 g sample of a compound containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen,

oxygen, and sulfur was burned in excess oxygen gas to yield 4.36 grams of CO2 and 0.892
grams of H2O as the only carbon and hydrogen products respectively. Another sample of the
same compound of mass 4.14 g yielded 2.60 g of SO3 as the only sulfur containing product. A
third sample of mass 5.66 g was burned under different conditions to yield 2.80 g of HNO3 as
the only nitrogen containing product. Determine the empirical formula of the compound.
Solution #1:
1) Carbon:
4.36 g x (12.011 g / 44.0 g) = 1.1902 g of C
1.1902 g / 2.52 g = 47.23%

2) Hydrogen:
0.892 g x (2.016 g / 18.015 g) = 0.09982 g of H
0.09982 g / 2.52 g = 3.96%
3) Sulfur:
2.60 g x (32.065 g / 80.062 g) = 1.0413 g of S
1.0413 g / 4.14 g = 25.15%
4) Nitrogen:
2.80 x (14.007 / 63.012) = 0.6224 g of N
0.6224 g / 5.66 g = 11.00%
5) Oxygen:
100% - (47.23% + 3.96% + 25.15% + 11.00%) = 12.66%
6) Assume 100 g of compound present:
C = 47.23 g; H = 3.96 g; S = 25.15 g; N = 11.00 g; O = 12.66 g
7) Convert to moles:
C = 3.93; H = 3.93; S = 0.7843; N = 0.7853; O = 0.79125
8) Convert to lowest whole-number ratio by dividing by 0.7843:
C = 5; H = 5; S = 1; N = 1; O = 1
Empirical formula is C5H5NOS

Repeat Problem #18: A 2.52 g sample of a compound containing carbon, hydrogen,

nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur was burned in excess oxygen gas to yield 4.36 grams of CO2 and
0.892 grams of H2O as the only carbon and hydrogen products respectively. Another sample
of the same compound of mass 4.14 g yielded 2.60 g of SO3 as the only sulfur containing
product. A third sample of mass 5.66 g was burned under different conditions to yield 2.80 g
of HNO3 as the only nitrogen containing product. Determine the empirical formula of the
compound.
Solution #2:
1) Carbon:
# moles = mass / molar mass
molar mass of CO2 = 44.0 g/ mole
4.36 g of CO2 has 4.36 /44.0 = 0.09909 moles of CO2

there is 1 mole of C in CO2 and all the C from the compound becomes CO2
moles of C in the compound = 0.09909 moles
mass of C 0.09909 x 12 = 1.1891 g
2) Hydrogen:
molar mass of H2O = 18 g/ mole
0.892 g of H2O has 0.892 / 18 = 0.04956 moles of H2O
there are 2 moles of H in H2O so moles of H in the compound = 0.09911 moles
mass of H 0.09911 x 1.0079 = 0.100 g
3) Sulfur:
moles of SO3 2.60 / 80 = 0.0325
moles of S in 4.14 g of compound = 0.0325 mol
moles in 2.52 g of compound 0.0325 x (2.52 / 4.14) = 0.01978 moles
mass of S 0.01978 x 32 = 0.6330 g
All the sulfur in the SO3 came from the 4.14 g sample.
Notice the scaling from 4.14 g of compound to 2.52 g.
4) Nitrogen:
moles of HNO3 2.80 / 63 = 0.04444 mol
moles of N in 5.66 g of sample = 0.04444
moles in 2.52 g of compound 0.04444 x (2.52 / 5.66) = 0.01979 moles
mass of N 0.01979 x 14 = 0.2770 g
All the nitrogen in the HNO3 came from the 5.66 g sample.
Notice the scaling from 5.66 g of compound to 2.52 g.
5) Oxygen:
mass C + H + S + N = 1.1891 + 0.100 + 0.6330 + 0.2770 = 2.1991
mass of O by difference = 2.52 - 2.1991 = 0.3209 g
moles of O in 2.52 g = 0.3209 / 16 = 0.0201 moles
6) We now have all five mole amounts, so do the empirical formula:
molar ratio of C : H : S : N : O = 0.09909 : 0.09911 : 0.01978 : 0.01979 : 0.0201
divide by the smallest number to get whole-number ratio
C : H : S : N : O = 5:5:1:1:1
empirical formula is C5H5NOS

Problem #19: Burning 11.2 mL (measured at STP) of a gas known to contain only carbon
and hydrogen, we obtained 44.0 mg CO2 and 0.0270 g H2O. Find the molecular formula of
the gas.

Solution:
1) Determine mass of carbon and hydrogen:
C: 0.0440 g times (12.011 / 44.01) = 0.0120 g
H: 0.0270 g times (2.016 / 18.015) = 0.0030 g
2) Determine moles of carbon and hydrogen:
C: 0.0120 g / 12.0 g/mol = 0.00100 mol
H: 0.0030 g / 1.008 g/mol = 0.00300 mol
3) Determine lowest whole-number ratio:
C: 0.00100 mol / 0.00100 mol = 1
H: 0.00300 mol / 0.00100 mol = 3
empirical formula = CH3
4) Determine how many moles are in our 11.2 mL of gas:
PV = nRT
(1.00 atm) (0.0112 L) = (n) (0.08206) (273 K)
n = 0.00050 mol
5) The gas sample weighed this:
0.012 g + 0.003 g = 0.015 g
6) Get molecular weight of gas:
0.015 g / 0.00050 mol = 30 g/mol
7) The "empirical formula weight" of CH3 = 15
30 / 15 = 2
The molecular formula is C2H6

Problem #20: The osmotic pressure of a solution containing 2.04 g of an unknown molecular
compound dissolved in 175.0 mL of solution at 25.0 C is 2.13 atm. The combustion of 22.08
g of the unknown compound produced 36.26 g CO2 and 14.85 g H2O
Solution:
1) The osmotic pressure will allow us to calculate the molar mass of the substance:

 = iMRT
2.13 atm = (1) (x / 0.175 L) (0.08206 L atm / mol K) (298 K)
x = 0.015243 mole
2.04 g / 0.015243 mole = 133.83 g/mol
2) Let us calculate the amount of carbon and hydrogen. Then, by subtraction, we will check
for oxygen:
carbon 36.26 g x (12.011 / 44.01 ) = 9.8959 g
hydrogen 14.85 g x (2.016 / 18.015 ) = 1.6618 g
oxygen 22.08 minus (9.8959 + 1.6618) = 10.5223 g
3) Calculate moles of each element:
carbon 9.8959 g / 12.011 g/mol = 0.8239 mol
hydrogen 1.6618 g / 1.008 g/mol = 1.6486 mol
oxygen 10.5223 g / 15.999 g/mol = 0.657685 mol
4) Determine a whole number ratio:
carbon 0.8239 / 0.657685 = 1.25
hydrogen 1.6486 / 0.657685 = 2.5
oxygen 0.657685 / 0.657685 = 1
Look at it like this:
carbon 1.25 = 5/4 (times 4 = 5)
hydrogen 2.5 = 10/4 (times 4 = 10)
oxygen 1 = 4/4 (times 4 = 4)
5) The empirical formula is:
C5H10O4
6) The "empirical formula weight" is 134. We calculated a molecular weight of 133.83. The
molecular formula is:
C5H10O4