Putrescine is a compound that is partially responsible for the rotten smell of decaying flesh. It consists of 54.50% C, 13.73% H, and 31.77% N. What is the empirical formula of putrescine?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the empirical formula, we convert the percentages to moles by dividing them by the atomic mass of each element: C (12.01 g/mol), H (1.008 g/mol), N (14.01 g/mol). For C: 54.50/12.01 ≈ 4.54, for H: 13.73/1.008 ≈ 13.62, for N: 31.77/14.01 ≈ 2.27. The ratio of C:H:N is approximately 2:6:1 when divided by the smallest number of moles (2.27). Therefore, the empirical formula is C2H6N.

Putrescine Is a Compound That Is Partially Responsible for the Rotten