Acompound of molar mass 161 g/mol contains only carbon, hydrogen, bromine, and oxygen. analysis reveals that the compound contains 12 times as much carbon as hydrogen by mass. find the molecular formula.

The molecular formula is C₅H₅OBr

The molar mass of the compound is 161 g/mol

Elements contained in the compound are carbon, hydrogen, bromine, and oxygen.

Atomic masses are;

Oxygen - 16.0 g/mol

Bromine - 79.90 g/mol

Carbon - 12.01 g/mol

Hydrogen - 1.008 g/mol

Assuming the compound contains 1 mole of Bromine and Oxygen

Therefore;

Total mass of bromine and oxygen in the compound= 16.0 g/mol + 79.90 g/mol

If there are x atoms of hydrogen in the compound, then;

Mass of Hydrogen = 1.008 x

Carbon is 12 times the mass of hydrogen, thus

Hence;

Therefore;

Hydrogen atoms = 5

Carbon atoms= 5(12.096)/12.01

                       = 5

Bromine atoms = 1

Oxygen atom = 1

Therefore;

The molecular formula is C₅H₅OBr