An organic compound was found to contain the following consitituents : C = 33 % , H = 4.7 % , N = 13.2 %, Cl = 33.4 %. Determine the empirical formula of the compound
Hint : Calculate the percentage of oxygen since the sum of the percentages of elements is not 100. The percentage of oxygen = 15.7.

Answer

`C_(3)H_(5)NClO`

Explanation

Step I. Percentage of oxygen `= 100-(33 + 4.7 + 13.2 + 33.4)=100-84.3 = 15.7`
Step II. Empirical formula of the organic compound
`{:("Element","Percentage","Atomic mass","Gram atoms (Moles)","Atomic ratio (Molar ratio)","Simplest whole no. ratio"),("C",33.0,12,(33.0)/(12)=2.75,(2.75)/(0.94)=2.93,3),("H",4.7,1,(4.7)/(1)=4.70,(4.70)/(0.94)=5.0,5),("N",13.2,14,(13.2)/(14)=0.94,(0.94)/(0.94)=1.0,1),("Cl",33.4,35.5,(33.4)/(33.5)=0.94,(0.94)/(0.94)=1.0,1),("O",15.7,16,(15.7)/(16)=0.98,(0.98)/(0.94)=1.04,1):}`
Empirical formula of the compound `= C_(3)H_(5)NClO`