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

The empirical formula for the given compound is

Explanation:

We are given:

Percentage of H = 5.80 %

Percentage of O = 23.02 %

Percentage of N = 20.16 %

Percentage of Cl = 51.02 %

Let the mass of compound be 100 g. So, percentages given are taken as mass.

Mass of H = 5.80 g

Mass of O = 23.02 g

Mass of N = 20.16 g

Mass of Cl = 51.02 g

To formulate the empirical formula, we need to follow some steps:

Moles of Hydrogen =

Moles of Oxygen =

Moles of Nitrogen =

Moles of Chlorine =

For the mole ratio, we divide each value of the moles by the smallest number of moles calculated which is 1.44 moles.

For Hydrogen =

For Oxygen =

For Nitrogen =

For Chlorine =

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

Hence, the empirical formula for the given compound is