Question

A compound with the empirical formula CH20 was found to have a molar mass between 89g and 91g. What is the molecular formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Formaldehyde has a molar mass of ~30 g/mol. So ~90/30 = 3. The molecular formula should be the empirical formula times 3.

Answer 2

C3H6O3.

Answer 3

"The molecular formula should be the empirical formula times 3."
That's worded a bit wrong, but you get the drift.

Answer 4

Thank you!