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From the formula C6H12O6, it is possible to tell that the compound

  • Has six carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms in every one of its molecules
  • Has a molar mass of 6(12.00g) + 12(1.01g) + 6 (16.00g) = 180.12 grams per mol.
  • Has an empirical formula of CH2O (which is not to be confused with the molecular formula, for CH2O is the molecular as well as the empirical formula of formaldehyde, but it is clear from the larger quantities of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms that C6H12O6 is not formaldehyde)
  • Is probably a monosaccharide (simple sugar).

What is not clear from this molecular formula is how the six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms are arranged. Different arrangements made from this same molecular formula result in different substances; for example, glucose and fructose share this molecular formula but are different sugars that are metabolized differently in the body.

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14y ago

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