Question

The active ingredient in many types of household bleach has an empirical formula, OCNCl. The molar mass is 232.41 grams per mole. What is the molecular formula of this compound? OCNCl O2C2N2Cl2 O3C3N3Cl3 O4C4N4Cl4

Answer 1

Empirical Formula =  OCNCl

For  OCNCl  =   16 + 12 + 14 + 35.5 = 77.5

Let the Molecular formula = (OCNCl)n

Since the molar mass = 232.41 grams per mole

Therefore:          (OCNCl)n  = 232.41
                              
 OCNCl = 77.5

77.5n = 232.41

n = 232.41/77.5 = 2.999  Aproximately 3.
n =3

Molecular formula = (OCNCl)n = $(OCNCl)_{3}$

$O_{3} C_{3} N_{3} Cl_{3}$