What is the empirical formula for C6H6?

1 Answer
Mar 28, 2016

It is simply CH.

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number defining constituent atoms in a species. The molecular formula is A MULTIPLE of the empirical formula.

If we were given a sample of benzene, we could perform combustion analysis and get an empirical formula of CH, after the benzene was combusted and the oxidation products of CO2 and H2O were very accurately measured on a gas chromatograph. We would need a molecular mass determination before we could supply the molecular formula.