A chemist was handed a compound and asked to determine the molecular formula. To do so she measured the weight percent composition. The results were 49.01 % Carbon, 2.723 % Hydrogen and 48.26 % Chlorine. From this she calculated the empirical formula. In a separate experiment she measured the molecule weight. The result was 147 g/mole. She was suddenly called away for a family emergency and you now must find the molecular formula.
What is the correct molecular formula for this compound?

Question

A chemist was handed a compound and asked to determine the molecular formula. To do so she measured the weight percent composition. The results were 49.01 % Carbon, 2.723 % Hydrogen and 48.26 % Chlorine. From this she calculated the empirical formula. In a separate experiment she measured the molecule weight. The result was 147 g/mole. She was suddenly called away for a family emergency and you now must find the molecular formula.
What is the correct molecular formula for this compound?

anonymous · Answer

Do you nkow how to find emperical formula using the given data?

anonymous · Answer

Yes, I came up with $$C _{3}H _{2}Cl$$

anonymous · Answer

Yeah thats correct.
So then find weight of C3H2Cl=36+35.5+2=73.5. But molecular weight is twice of that so molecular foormula is C6H4Cl2.