Epinephrine (adrenaline) is a hormone secreted into the bloodstream in times of danger and stress. It is 59.0% carbon, 7.15% hydrogen, 26.20% oxygen, and 7.65% nitrogen by mass and has a molar mass of 183 g/mol. Determine the empirical formula for Epinephrine.

The empirical and molecular formula for the given organic compound is

Explanation:

Let the mass of the compound be 100 g

Given values:

% of C = 59.0%

% of H = 7.15%

% of O = 26.20%

% of N = 7.65%

Mass of C = 59.0 g

Mass of H = 7.15 g

Mass of O = 26.20 g

Mass of N = 7.65 g

The number of moles is defined as the ratio of the mass of a substance to its molar mass. The equation used is:

......(1)

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

Molar mass of C = 12 g/mol

Molar mass of H = 1 g/mol

Molar mass of O = 16 g/mol

Molar mass of N = 14 g/mol

Putting values in equation 1, we get:

Calculating the mole fraction of each element by dividing the calculated moles by the least calculated number of moles that is 0.546 moles

The ratio of C : H : O : N = 9 : 13 : 3 : 1

The empirical formula of the compound becomes

To calculate the molecular formula, the number of atoms of the empirical formula is multiplied by a factor known as valency that is represented by the symbol, 'n'.

.....(2)

We are given:

Mass of molecular formula = 183 g/mol

Mass of empirical formula = 183 g/mol

Putting values in equation 2, we get:

Multiplying this valency by the subscript of every element of empirical formula, we get:

Hence, the empirical and molecular formula for the given organic compound is