Hydroxylamine hydrochloride is a powerful reducing agent which is used as a polymerization catalyst. It contains 5.80 mass % H, 20.16 mass % N, 23.02 mass % O, and 51.02 mass % Cl. What is its empirical formula? Determine the molecular formula of the compound with molar mass of 278 g.

The molecular formula will be

Explanation:

If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.

So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.

Mass of H = 5.80 g

Mass of N = 20.16 g

Mass of O = 23.02 g

Mass of Cl = 51.02 g

Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.

Moles of H =

Moles of N =

Moles of O =

Moles of Cl =

Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.

For H =

For N =

For O =

For Cl =

The ratio of H: N: O: Cl= 4: 1: 1: 1

Hence the empirical formula is

The empirical weight of = 4(1)+1(14)+ 1(16) + 1(35.5)= 69.5 g.

The molecular weight = 278 g/mole

Now we have to calculate the molecular formula.

The molecular formula will be=