What is the empirical formula for #C_6H_6#?

1 Answer
anor277
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 #CO_2# and #H_2O# were very accurately measured on a gas chromatograph. We would need a molecular mass determination before we could supply the molecular formula.

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