Ethyl ethanoate is used as a solvent for varnishes and in the manufacture of artificial leather. The formula below represents a molecule of ethyl ethanoate. Write the empirical formula for this compound.

The empirical formula for the ethyl ethanoate molecule is C2H4O.

Explanation:

Ethyl ethanoate is an ester which is formed together with water when ethanol reacts reversibly with acids. This can be illustrated below:

CH3COOH +. C2H5OH <----> CH3COOC2H5 +

H2O

Ethyl ethanoate can be used as an important solvent for varnishes and in the manufacture of artificial leather.

Different formulas can be used to illustrate a chemical compound.

--> Empirical formula of a compound is used to illustrate the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

--> Structural formula of the compound gives an illustration of how the atoms of the compound are bonded to each other.

--> Molecular formula shows the number of each type of atom in a molecule.

The formula given, the molecular formula of the compound is C4H8O2:

C4 H8 O2

4 : 8 : 2

Using 2 to divide through to get the simplest ratio gives rise to C2H4O as the empirical formula.

they are all solids.