Question

What is the empirical formula of Vanillin?

Answer 1

The same as its molecular formula: `C_8H_8O_3`.

Explanation:

The empirical formula of Vanillin is the same as its molecular formula: `C_8H_8O_3`.

Empirical formula by definition is the simplest formula of a compound. It is determined by dividing all subscripts of all elements by the same integer and obtain whole numbers.

Example: The empirical formula of `C_6H_12O_6` is `CH_2O`. We can divide all subscripts by `6` and obtain whole numbers.

For vanillin, it is not possible to find a number where we can divide `8 and 3` and obtain whole numbers, therefore, in this case the empirical formula is the same as the molecular formula.