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NESA Chemistry Problem Solving

1 sample question with marking guides and sample answers

Q39

2025

SCSA

14 marks

Q39

14 marks

Freon-11 is a colourless chlorofluorocarbon that boils at 23.77 °C. Prior to the knowledge of the ozone-depleting potential of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other possible harmful effects on the environment, it was used as a refrigerant.

The following data was used to determine that Freon-11 is trichlorofluoromethane, with a molecular formula of $CCl_3F$ .

A Freon-11 sample of 4.121 g was combusted in excess oxygen. All the carbon in the compound was converted to carbon dioxide and in a separate process, all its chlorine was converted into hydrochloric acid. The carbon dioxide produced had a mass of 1.320 g and the hydrochloric acid formed, required 85.70 mL of 1.050 mol L $^{-1}$ of ammonia solution for complete neutralisation.
Another sample of the Freon-11 with a mass of 3.721 g occupied a volume of 0.6068 L at a pressure of 120.00 kPa and temperature of 50.6 °C.

Using the same data, use calculations and reasoning to demonstrate that this is the correct molecular formula.

Carbon
$n(C) = n(CO_2) = 1.320/44.01 = 0.02999$ mol
$m(C) = 0.02299 \times 12.01 = 0.3602$ g

Chlorine
$n(Cl) = n(HCl) = n(NH_3) = 1.050 \times 0.08570 = 0.08999$ mol
$m(Cl) = 0.08999 \times 35.45 = 3.1900$ g

Fluorine
$m(F) = 4.121 - (0.3602 + 3.1900) = 0.5708$ g
$n(F) = 0.5708 / 19.00 = 0.03004$ mol

Mole Ratio
C: 0.02999
Cl: 0.08999
F: 0.03004

Simplify
Divide by 0.02999
C: 1
Cl: 3.00
F: 1.002

Empirical Formula
$CCl_3F$

Molecular Formula
Empirical formula mass (EFM) = 137.36 amu/g mol $^{-1}$
$n = PV/RT = (120.0 \times 0.6068)/(8.314 \times 323.75) = 0.027052476$ mol
Molecular formula mass (MFM) = $m/n = 3.721/0.0276503204 = 137.54$ g mol $^{-1}$
Molecular formula = MFM/EFM $\times$ Empirical formula = $137.54/137.36 \times CCl_3F = 1.0013 \times CCl_3F$

Molecular formula = Empirical formula = $CCl_3F$

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
n(C) calculation	1
m(C) calculation	1
n(Cl) calculation	1
m(Cl) calculation	1
m(F) calculation	1
n(F) calculation	1
Mole Ratio setup	1
Simplify ratio	1
Empirical Formula	1
Empirical formula mass (EFM)	1
n = PV/RT calculation	1
Molecular formula mass (MFM) calculation	1
Molecular formula calculation	1
Molecular formula = Empirical formula statement	1

NESA Chemistry Problem Solving

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