Butyric acid is the odor of rancid cheese.Calculate the empirical formula for butyric acid given its percent composition: 54.53% C,9.15% H,and 36.32% O.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the empirical formula, convert the percentages to moles: C: 54.53 g/12.01 g/mol = 4.54 mol, H: 9.15 g/1.01 g/mol = 9.06 mol, O: 36.32 g/16.00 g/mol = 2.27 mol. Divide each by the smallest number of moles (2.27) to get the ratio: C: 2, H: 4, O: 1. Thus, the empirical formula is C₂H₄O.

Butyric Acid Is the Odor of Rancid Cheese