Cyclohexane, a commonly used organic solvent, is 85.6% c and 14.4% h by mass with a molar mass of 84.2 g/mol. what is its molecular formula?

The molecular formula of organic solvent is C6H12

calculationfind the empirical formula first as in step 1 and 2

Step 1: find the moles of C and H

moles = % composition/molar mass from periodic table molar mass of C = 12 g/mol while that of H = 1 g/mol moles is C is therefore = 85.6/12 = 7. 13 moles moles of H = 14.4/1 - 14.4 moles

Step 2: calculate the mole fraction by dividing each mole by smallest number of mole (7.13)

that is C = 7.13/7.13 = 1

H = 14.4/7.13 = 2

the empirical formula is therefore = CH2

Then calculate the molecular formula from empirical formula

step 3: divide the grams molar mass by empirical formula mass

empirical formula mass = 12 + (1 x2) = 14 g/mol

= 84.2 / 14 = 6

step 4: multiply each of the subscript within the empirical formula with the value gotten in step 3

that is [CH2]6 = C6H12 therefore the molecular formula = C6H12