Explain why, if the percent composition and the molar mass of a compound are both known, the molecular formula can be determined much more readily by using the molar mass rather than a 100 g sample in the first step of the five-step procedure in Example 3-5. In this instance, how would you then obtain the empirical formula?

Example 3-5

Dibutyl succinate is an insect repellent used against household ants and roaches. Its composition is 62.58% C, 9.63% H, and 27.79% O. Its experimentally determined molecular mass is 230 u. What are the empirical and molecular formulas of dibutyl succinate?