A compound that contains only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is 54.5% C and 9.15% H. Its enthalpy of vaporization is 388 J/g, and it boils at a temperature of 374 K.

(a) What is the empirical formula of this compound?

(b) Use Trouton’s rule to calculate the approximate enthalpy of vaporization of one mole of the compound. Combine the enthalpy of vaporization per mole with that same quantity per gram to obtain an approximate molar mass of the compound.

(c) Use the information in parts (a) and (b) to fi nd the molecular formula of this compound. Remember that the molecular mass must be exactly a whole number multiple of the empirical formula mass, so considerable rounding may be needed.