An amino acid contains 52.2% carbon, 9.3% hydrogen, 8.7% nitrogen and 29.8% oxygen by mass and has a relative molecular mass of 161 g/mol. What is its molecular formula? What functional groups must it have?
In 100g of compound, the amount of each element is given by: C: n = 52.2/12 = 4.35 H: n = 9.3/1 = 9.3 N: n = 8.7/14 = 0.621... O: n = 29.8/16 = 1.8625 Dividing through by the smallest amount (0.621) gives: C: 7.0048..., H: 14.9758..., N: 1, O: 2.9991... These are all very close to whole numbers so the empirical formula is C7H15NO3. This has a relative formula mass of 161 so the molecular formula is also C7H15NO3. As this compound is stated to be an amino acid it must contain both an amine and a carboxylic acid group.
GB
Related Chemistry A Level answers
All answers ▸Q2. Calculate the pH of the solution formed after 50.0 cm^3 of 0.0108 mol/dm^3 aqueous sodium hydroxide are added to beaker B. Give your answer to 2 decimal places
Why do ionisation energies typically increase upon going across a period yet decrease upon going down a group?
Why is benzene so stable?
State and explain the effect of the following on the rate of a reaction: a) increasing temp b) increasing pressure c) increasing concentration of ONE reactant d) adding a catalyst. In each case state what will happen to the rate constant, k.