Determine the formula weights of each of the following compounds: (e) isopentyl acetate, CH₃CO₂C₅H₁₁, responsible for the odor of bananas.

Key Concepts

Molecular Formula

The molecular formula of a compound indicates the number and types of atoms present in a molecule. For isopentyl acetate, the formula is CH3CO2C5H11, which shows it contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. Understanding how to interpret molecular formulas is essential for calculating formula weights.

Molar Mass Calculation

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, calculated by summing the atomic masses of all atoms in the molecular formula. Each element's atomic mass can be found on the periodic table. For isopentyl acetate, you would multiply the number of each type of atom by its atomic mass and then sum these values to find the total formula weight.

Empirical vs. Molecular Formula

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms. In the case of isopentyl acetate, understanding the difference helps in recognizing that the molecular formula provides more detailed information about the compound's structure and composition, which is crucial for accurate weight calculations.