Styrene has the empirical formula #CH#. It has a molar mass of 104 g. What is the multiplier to get the molecular formula?

1 Answer
anor277
May 6, 2016

The molecular formula is always a whole number multiple of the empirical formula. Of course, the multiple might be #1#.

Explanation:

Given what I have said:

#("Empirical formula")xxn="Molecular formula"#

#(CH)xxn=104*g*mol^-1#

#(12.01+1.01)*g*mol^-1xxn=104*g*mol^-1#

Clearly, #n=8#, and the molecular formula is #C_8H_8#.

Of course this is reasonable inasmuch that we know that the styrene monomer is #C_6H_5CH=CH_2#, i.e. vinyl benzene.

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