Valproic acid, used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, is composed of C, H, and O. A 0.165-g sample is combusted to produce 0.166 g of water and 0.403 g of carbon dioxide. What is the empirical formula for valproic acid

The empirical formula is C4H8O

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Valproic acid is composed of C, H, and O

Mass of the sample = 0.165 grams

Mass of water = 0.166 grams

Mass of CO2 = 0.403 grams

Molar mass of water ( H2O) = 18.02 g/mol

Molar mass of CO2 = 44.01 g/mol

Atomic mass of C = 12.01 g/mol

Atomic mass of O = 16.0 g/mol

Atomic mass H = 1.01 g/mol (H2 = 2.02 g/mol)

Step 2: The equation

CxHyOz + O2 → CO2 + H2O

Step 3: Calculate the number of carbon in the sample

The carbon comes from CO2

Mass C = (12.01 g/mol/44.01 g/mol) * 0.403 grams

Mass C = 0.110 grams

Step 4: Calculate mass of hydrogen in the sample

The hydrogen comes from H2O

Mass H = (2.02/18.02) * 0.166 grams

MAss H = 0.0186 grams

Step 5: Calculate mass of O

The mass of O in the sample = Mass of sample - mass of H - mass of C

The mass of O = 0.165 grams - 0.110 grams - 0.0186 grams

The mass of O = 0.0364 grams

Step 6: Calculate moles

Moles C = 0.110 grams / 12.01 g/mol = 0.00916 moles

Moles H = 0.0186 / 1.01 = 0.0184 moles

Moles O = 0.0364/16.0 = 0.00228 moles

Step 7: Calculate empirical formula

We divide by the smallest amount of moles

C: 0.00916/ 0.00228 = 4

H: 0.0184/0.00228 = 8

O: 0.00228/0.00228 = 1

The empirical formula is C4H8O

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