Is the molecular formula for sugar correct?

In summary: This is an example of the common naming conventions. But as you can see, there are exceptions and it is not a hard and fast rule.
  • #1
akerkarprashant
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TL;DR Summary
Molecular formula correction.
Is the following molecular formula for Sugar can be written as
H22C12O11 or
O11C12H22 or
O11H22C12 or
C12O11H22 or
H22O11C12
instead of C12H22O11?

Logically they can be written as mentioned above?

If Not, Why?

There can be many more examples similar to above.
 

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  • #2
Thanks.

Another example could be for Sulphuric acid having molecular formula as H2SO4.

This can be SH2O4,O4H2S,H2O4S, SO4H2,O4SH2.

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
  • #3
Two totally different cases.

The molecular formula for saccharose is C12H22O11 in that order -- by convention: Alphabetical. Doesn't tell you all you need to know to reconstruct the molecule. For that the IUPAC name (horrible ! See 3.1.1 here) is intended.

Sulfuric acid contains a functional group SO42- and -- as an inorganic acid -- its name by convention starts with the hydrogen ions. Hence H2SO4

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  • #4
Thanks.

Mostly the convention for Molecular formulas will be alphabetical based ?

Is there a good site which sets the rules for molecular formula naming conventions?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
  • #5
Not really. You could try Googling 'Hill system' or 'Richter system formulas'. Or even simply 'Chemical formula'

And my 'alphabetical' appears to be too simple-minded. The Hill system has C, H and then alphabetical, the RIchter system is still quite relevant (e.g. for Beilstein !). See e.g. here

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  • #6
Wait, so what about NH3?
 
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  • #7
IUPAC colored books (never remember which one is which) are definitive source for conventions used. In some cases general convention says one thing, but common, well established names/formulas are allowed.

That's mostly for historical reasons, way too many names and conventions are well established, universally understood, but unsystematic.
 
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  • #8
Here is one uncalled for, unprofessional opinion.

We usually put cations to the left and anions to the right (NaCl, K2S, etc.). This goes for covalent compounds, too, where we use oxidation numbers (SO2, H2S, etc). Exception ammonia, probably for historical reasons.
 

1. Is the molecular formula for sugar the same as its chemical formula?

No, the molecular formula for sugar is C12H22O11 while its chemical formula is C6H12O6. This is because the molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule, while the chemical formula only shows the simplest ratio of elements in a compound.

2. How was the molecular formula for sugar determined?

The molecular formula for sugar was determined through experiments and analysis of its chemical composition. Scientists use techniques such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the molecular formula of a substance.

3. Can the molecular formula for sugar change?

No, the molecular formula for sugar, or any compound, cannot change. It is a fixed representation of the types and number of atoms present in a molecule. However, the arrangement of these atoms can vary, resulting in different isomers with the same molecular formula.

4. Is the molecular formula for sugar the same for all types of sugar?

No, the molecular formula for sugar can vary depending on the type of sugar. For example, glucose has a molecular formula of C6H12O6, while fructose has a molecular formula of C6H12O6. This is because they have different structures, even though they both have the same number of atoms.

5. Can the molecular formula for sugar be simplified?

Yes, the molecular formula for sugar can be simplified by dividing all the subscripts by a common factor. For example, the molecular formula for glucose (C6H12O6) can be simplified to CH2O. However, this simplified formula does not accurately represent the actual number of atoms in a molecule of glucose.

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