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Ch.3 - Molecules, Compounds & Chemical Equations
Chapter 3, Problem 136

Researchers obtained the following data from experiments to find the molecular formula of benzocaine, a local anesthetic, which contains only carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Complete combustion of a 3.54-g sample of benzocaine with excess O2 forms 8.49 g of CO2 and 2.14 g H2O. Another 2.35-g sample contains 0.199 g of N. The molar mass of benzocaine is 165 g/mol. Find the molar formula of benzocaine.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Combustion Analysis

Combustion analysis is a technique used to determine the elemental composition of organic compounds. In this method, a sample is burned in excess oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water. The masses of these products are measured, allowing for the calculation of the amounts of carbon and hydrogen in the original sample. This data is crucial for deriving the empirical formula of the compound.
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Empirical Formula

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements in a compound. It is derived from the mass percentages of each element obtained from combustion analysis. For benzocaine, after determining the moles of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, the empirical formula can be calculated, which serves as a stepping stone to finding the molecular formula.
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Molecular Formula

The molecular formula indicates the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule of a compound. It can be derived from the empirical formula by using the compound's molar mass. In the case of benzocaine, knowing the empirical formula and the molar mass (165 g/mol) allows for the calculation of the molecular formula, which reveals the true composition of the compound.
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