L-Dopa, a drug used for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, is 54.82% C, 5.62% H, 7.10% N, and 32.46% O.? Help!!?

29.09.09 / parkinson disease treatment / Author: Alex
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what is the empirical formula of the compound?

choose one

1. C9H9NO4

2. C9H11NO4

3. C5H11NO4

4. C8H10NO4

5. C7H10NO4

Comments: 1

×× M. Jordan ×× // September 29th, 2009 - 5:15 am

Firstly, find the number of moles of each element in the compound. The relative atomic mass of Carbon is 12, Oxygen is 16, Nitrogen is 14 and Hydrogen is 1.

The formula for finding the number of moles is (mass) divide by (relative atomic mass of the element). Mass can be in percentage (%) or gram (g)

Number of moles of Carbon
54.82/12
= 4.568

Number of moles of Hydrogen
5.62/1
= 5.62

Number of moles of Nitrogen
7.10/14
=0.507

Number of moles of Oxygen
32.46/16
=2.0875

Divide all of the moles by the smallest number to find the ratio of each mole. Round them off unless the ratio has .5 in it like 1.5. If one of the ratio is 1.5, u cannot round them off but have to multiply all the ratio of the moles by 2 so that u can get rid of the .5. Here, all your ratios dun have any .5 in it so you don’t have to worry about that.

Ratio of moles of Carbon
4.568/0.507
= 9

Ratio of moles of Hydrogen
5.62/0.507
= 11

Ratio of moles of Nitrogen
0.507/0.507
=1

Ratio of moles of Oxygen
2.0875/0.507
=4

C9H11NO4

Answer is number 2

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