What is the empirical formula for hydrocarbon hexane?

1 Answer
BRIAN M.
Apr 24, 2014

Hexane has a chemical formula of #C_6H_14#. This would make the the empirical formula for hexane #C_3H_7#

For the Hydrocarbons that end in the suffix -ane like butane, propane and hexane, the base formula is #C_nH_(2n+2)#.

Propane is for the prefix pro- n = 3
#C_3H_((2)3+2)# so the formula is #C_3H_8#
Empirical Formula would be #C_3H_8#

Butane is for the prefix but- n = 4
#C_4H_((2)4+2)# so the formula is #C_4H_10#
Empirical Formula would be #C_2H_5#

Octane is for the prefix Oct- n = 8
#C_8H_((2)8+2)# so the formula is #C_8H_18#
Empirical Formula would be #C_4H_9#

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER

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