Empirical Formula Matching for Organic Compounds

Steps:

• Determine empirical formula CH2O requires C:H:O ratio of 1:2:1.
• Derive molecular formula from each name and check if it simplifies to CH2O.
• Examine provided structure to confirm it aligns with the named compound's formula.
• Select option where both name and structure represent a compound with empirical CH2O.

Why D is correct:

• Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) has molecular formula C2H4O2, which divides by 2 to give empirical formula CH2O.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Methanol is CH4O (empirical CH4O); structure depicts formaldehyde (CH2O) but name mismatches.
• B: Methanoic acid is CH2O2 (empirical CH2O2), not CH2O.
• C: Ethanol is C2H6O (empirical CH3O), not CH2O.

Final answer: D