The organic compound contains 52.17% carbon, 13.05% hydrogen and 34.78% oxygen.

The organic compound contains 52.17% carbon, 13.05% hydrogen and 34.78% oxygen. Establish the molecular formula of an organic compound and write down its molar mass in response.

Mass ratio of elements in an unknown compound:

w (C): w (H): w (O) = 52.17: 13.05: 34.78

Taking into account the atomic masses of the elements, let’s move on to the quantitative ratio:

n (C): n (H): n (O) = w (C) / M (C): w (H) / M (H): w (O) / M (O) =

52.17 / 12: 13.05 / 1: 34.78 / 16 = 4.35: 13.05: 2.17 = 2: 6: 1

This means that in the molecule of an unknown compound there are 6 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom per 2 carbon atoms.

Thus, the simplest molecular formula of the compound is: C2H6O (which can correspond to ethanol C2H5OH or dimethyl ether CH3OCH3).

Molar mass of this compound:

M (C2H6O) = 12 * 2 + 1 * 6 + 16 * 1 = 46 (g / mol).

Answer: 46 g / mol.