JEE MainChemistryHydrocarbons
Upon complete combustion of 1 mole of an unknown hydrocarbon, the mass ratio of carbon dioxide to water produced is 44:9 . If 2.5 moles of oxygen are consumed per mole of the hydrocarbon, what is its molecular formula?
Options
- AC ₂ H ₂
- BC ₂ H ₄
- CC ₆ H ₆
- DCH ₄
Correct answer
A. C ₂ H ₂
Step-by-step solution
Let the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon be C _x H _y . The general combustion equation is: C _x H _y + (x + y 4 ) O ₂ x CO ₂ + y 2 H ₂ O The mass of CO ₂ produced is 44x and the mass of H ₂ O produced is 18 y 2 = 9y . Given the mass ratio of CO ₂ to H ₂ O is 44:9 , we have: 44x 9y = 44 9 This simplifies to x y = 1 , which means x = y . The empirical formula is CH . We are also given that 2.5 moles of O ₂ are consumed per mole of the hydrocarbon: x + y 4 = 2.5 Since x = y , substitute y with x : x + x 4 = 2.5 1