Q. 16.52 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What is the molar mass of hydroxyurea?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The molar mass of hydroxyurea is$-76.0495 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$

Step 1: Introduction

• Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder in which a mutation in the DNA changes the amino acid in the protein, affecting its structure.
• As a result, hemogiobin's structure changes from round to sickle cell, destroying its ability to carry oxygen.
• Patients with sickle cell anaemia who take hydroxyurea on a daily basis report less pain, fewer events where blood vessels are obstructed by sickle red blood cells, and increased blood flow.

Step 2: Given information

Molar mass is the mass of 1 mole of substance. Molar mass of hydroxyurea is:

The chemical formula for hydroxyurea is ${\mathrm{CH}}_4{ \mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$. So it contains 1 carbon atom, 4 hydrogen atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms.

• Atomic mass of hydrogen atom is $1.007$
• Atomic mass of carbon atom is $12.0107$
• Atomic mass of nitrogen atom is $\mathbf{14}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{006}$
• Atomic mass of oxygen atom is$15.9994$

Step 3: Explanation

For calculating the molar mass multiply how many of each atoms by the mass of that atom.

Hydroxyurea $-{\mathrm{CH}}_4{ \mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$

• 1 carbon atom $-1\times 12.0107=12.0107 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$ (molar mass constant)
• 4 hydrogen atoms $-4\times 1.007=4.028 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$
• 2 nitrogen atoms $-2\times 14.006=28.012 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$
• 2 oxygen atoms$-2\times 15.9994=31.9988 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$

Step 4: Explanation

Now add the products together

$12.0107 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}+4.028 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}+28.012 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}+31.9988 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}=76.0495 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$

The molar mass of hydroxyurea is $-76.0495 \mathrm{g}/\mathrm{mol}$