Mason Delacroix
Lauryl alcohol, a non-electrolyte obtained from coconut oil, is used in the production of detergents. Its molecular formula is C₁₂H₂₆O, and its molar mass is calculated by adding the molar masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the molecule. Various sources have calculated the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol to be between 172.8 g/mol and 625 g/mol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 186.32 g/mol or 174.08 g/mol or 625 g/mol or 172.8 g/mol |
| Molecular formula | C₁₂H₂₆O |
| Atomic mass of Carbon | 12.01 g/mol |
| Atomic mass of Hydrogen | 1.008 g/mol |
| Atomic mass of Oxygen | 15.99 g/mol |
| Obtained from | Coconut oil |
| Used as | Non-electrolyte to make detergents |
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What You'll Learn
Lauryl alcohol is a non-electrolyte
Lauryl alcohol, also known as dodecanol, is a non-electrolyte. It has the molecular formula C12H26O and a molar mass of approximately 186.32 g/mol. The molar mass is calculated by adding the molar masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the molecule. Lauryl alcohol is obtained from coconut oil and is used in the production of detergents, surfactants, lubricating oils, pharmaceuticals, monolithic polymers, and as a flavour-enhancing food additive.
A non-electrolyte is a compound that does not conduct an electric current when in an aqueous solution or in a molten state. When ionic compounds dissolve, they break apart into ions, which are able to conduct a current. However, non-electrolytes like lauryl alcohol do not produce ions when dissolved in water.
The ability to conduct an electric current is due to the presence of ions. Electrolytes, therefore, contain ions and can conduct electricity. These ions can be positively charged, such as calcium (Ca2+), or negatively charged, such as chloride (Cl-). When dissolved in water, electrolytes separate into their respective ions and can carry a current.
In contrast, non-electrolytes do not contain ions and do not conduct electricity. For example, sugar is a non-electrolyte. When dissolved in water, it does not break apart into ions and cannot conduct electricity.
The distinction between electrolytes and non-electrolytes is important in various applications. For instance, in the context of human health, electrolytes are crucial for bodily functions, while non-electrolytes like lauryl alcohol are used in detergents and other industrial applications.
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It is obtained from coconut oil
Lauryl alcohol, also known as dodecanol, has the molecular formula C12H26O. It is a non-electrolyte obtained from coconut oil. It is used in the creation of detergents.
Lauryl alcohol can be isolated from coconut oil through a process that involves freezing a solution of lauryl alcohol and benzene. The molar mass of lauryl alcohol can then be calculated using the freezing-point depression method. This method involves determining the change in freezing point and using it to find the solution's molality and, ultimately, the molar mass.
The freezing point depression formula is given by:
> ΔT_f = K_f × molality
Where ΔT_f is the freezing point depression, given by 4.1°C in the case of a solution of 5.00 g of lauryl alcohol in 0.100 kg of benzene. K_f is the cryoscopic constant for benzene, which is equal to 5.12 K·kg/mol. Molality is the number of moles of solute (lauryl alcohol) per kilogram of solvent (benzene).
The moles of lauryl alcohol can be expressed as:
> The moles of lauryl alcohol = mass / molar mass = 5.00 g / molar mass
Once the moles of lauryl alcohol have been calculated, this value can be used to calculate the molality of the solution:
> Molality = moles of solute / kg of solvent = moles of lauryl alcohol / 0.100 kg
Finally, the molar mass of lauryl alcohol can be calculated by rearranging the freezing point depression formula:
> Molar mass = K_f × ΔT_f / molality
Plugging in the values and converting the final answer to grams per mole gives a molar mass of approximately 625 g/mol.
Other sources give a molar mass of 186.32 g/mol, calculated by adding the molar masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the molecule. This value is determined by multiplying the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms in the molecule and then summing these values.
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It is used to make detergents
Lauryl alcohol, also known as dodecanol, has the molecular formula C12H26O. It is a non-electrolyte obtained from coconut oil. It is used to make detergents, including shampoo and liquid detergent formulations for personal care products. Lauryl alcohol ethoxylates are used in shampoos and bath gels as a foaming agent, as they reduce the surface tension in liquids. They are also used in household cleaning products, including detergents, laundry pre-spotters, and hard surface cleaners. In industrial settings, such as textile and leather processing, the wetting property of lauryl alcohol ethoxylates helps reduce surface tension.
The approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol is calculated by adding the molar masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the molecule. The molecular formula of lauryl alcohol is C₁₂H₂₆O, and its approximate molar mass is calculated to be about 186.32 g/mol. This is determined by multiplying the atomic mass of each element in the molecule by the number of atoms of that element and then summing the results. Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 g/mol, hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of 1.008 g/mol, and oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 15.99 g/mol. There are 12 carbon atoms, 26 hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom in lauryl alcohol. Therefore, the calculation is as follows:
12 x 12.01 g/mol = 144.12 g/mol
26 x 1.008 g/mol = 26.208 g/mol
1 x 15.99 g/mol = 15.99 g/mol
The sum of these calculations gives us the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol, which is about 186.32 g/mol.
The molar mass of a substance is essential in stoichiometry calculations, where it is necessary to convert between moles and grams for chemical reactions involving the substance. For example, to determine the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol using the freezing-point depression method, we need to determine the change in freezing point and use it to find the solution's molality. The freezing-point depression formula is:
ΔTf = Kf x molality
Where ΔTf is the freezing point depression, Kf is the cryoscopic constant for benzene, and molality is the number of moles of solute (lauryl alcohol) per kilogram of solvent (benzene). By substituting the given values into the formula and solving for molar mass, we can determine the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol.
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Its molecular formula is C₁₂H₂₆O
The molar mass of any substance is a fundamental property that helps us understand its chemical composition and behaviour in reactions. In the context of lauryl alcohol, which is also known as 1-dodecanol or dodecyl alcohol, its molar mass is closely related to its molecular formula, which is C₁₂H₂₆O. This formula reveals the specific arrangement of atoms within each molecule of lauryl alcohol.
Now, let's break down the formula to understand it better:
- C₁₂ indicates that there are 12 carbon (C) atoms in each molecule of lauryl alcohol. Carbon atoms are the backbone of organic compounds and play a crucial role in determining the chemical properties of the substance.
- H₂₆ represents the presence of 26 hydrogen (H) atoms in each molecule. Hydrogen atoms are attached to the carbon atoms and can form bonds with other atoms, influencing the molecule's reactivity.
- O denotes a single oxygen atom in each molecule. Oxygen atoms often engage in forming bonds with hydrogen atoms, creating what are known as hydroxyl groups (OH groups). In lauryl alcohol, the oxygen atom is part of a hydroxyl group, which gives the molecule its alcoholic nature.
By summing up the atomic masses of each element in the formula, we can approximate the molar mass of lauryl alcohol. Carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12 g/mol, hydrogen has an atomic mass of roughly 1 g/mol, and oxygen has an atomic mass of about 16 g/mol. So, the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol (C₁₂H₂₆O) is calculated as follows:
Molar mass = (12 x atomic mass of carbon) + (26 x atomic mass of hydrogen) + (1 x atomic mass of oxygen)
Molar mass = (12 x 12) + (26 x 1) + (1 x 16) = 170 g/mol
So, lauryl alcohol has an approximate molar mass of 170 grams per mole (g/mol). This value is essential for stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions involving lauryl alcohol, helping chemists determine the precise quantities of reactants needed and the expected yields of products.
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Its molar mass is calculated by adding atomic masses of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
The approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol, also known as dodecanol, is calculated by adding the atomic masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Lauryl alcohol has the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₆O, meaning it contains 12 carbon atoms, 26 hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom.
Carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 g/mol. Multiplying the atomic mass by the number of carbon atoms gives us 144.12 g/mol. Hydrogen has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 g/mol. Multiplying this value by the number of hydrogen atoms gives us 26.208 g/mol. Oxygen has an atomic mass of approximately 15.99 g/mol. Multiplying this by the number of oxygen atoms gives us 15.99 g/mol.
Adding these values together: 144.12 g/mol + 26.208 g/mol + 15.99 g/mol, we get a total molar mass of approximately 186.32 g/mol for lauryl alcohol.
Another method to calculate the molar mass of lauryl alcohol is by using the freezing-point depression method. This involves determining the change in freezing point and using it to find the solution's molality and, ultimately, the molar mass. Using this method, the approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol is calculated to be 174.08 g/mol.
Additionally, the molar mass can be calculated using the cryoscopic constant for benzene, which is 5.12 K·kg/mol. By substituting the given values into the formula and converting the final outcome to grams per mole, an approximate molar mass of 625 g/mol is obtained.
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Frequently asked questions
The approximate molar mass of lauryl alcohol is around 186.32 g/mol. This is calculated by adding the molar masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the molecule.
The molar mass of lauryl alcohol can be calculated by determining the change in freezing point and using this to find the solution's molality. This method is known as the freezing-point depression method.
The molecular formula of lauryl alcohol is C₁₂H₂₆O.
Lauryl alcohol is a non-electrolyte obtained from coconut oil and is used to make detergents.
Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 g/mol.
