What are the molecular weights of the following pharmaceuticals? (a) C33H35FN2O5 (atorvastatin, lowers blood cholesterol)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of each type of atom in the molecular formula C33H35FN2O5. This includes 33 carbon atoms, 35 hydrogen atoms, 1 fluorine atom, 2 nitrogen atoms, and 5 oxygen atoms.
2. Find the atomic masses of each type of atom from the periodic table: Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of about 12.01 u, Hydrogen (H) about 1.008 u, Fluorine (F) about 19.00 u, Nitrogen (N) about 14.01 u, and Oxygen (O) about 16.00 u.
3. Multiply the atomic mass of each element by the number of atoms of that element in the molecule: 33 atoms of Carbon x 12.01 u, 35 atoms of Hydrogen x 1.008 u, 1 atom of Fluorine x 19.00 u, 2 atoms of Nitrogen x 14.01 u, and 5 atoms of Oxygen x 16.00 u.
4. Add up all the values obtained in the previous step to get the total molecular weight of the compound.
5. The result from the previous step gives you the molecular weight of atorvastatin in atomic mass units (u).

Key Concepts

Molecular Weight Calculation

Molecular weight, or molar mass, is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It is calculated by multiplying the number of each type of atom by its atomic weight (from the periodic table) and summing these values. For example, in atorvastatin (C33H35FN2O5), you would calculate the contributions from carbon, hydrogen, fluorine, nitrogen, and oxygen to find the total molecular weight.

Chemical Formula Interpretation

A chemical formula provides information about the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule. In the formula C33H35FN2O5, 'C' represents carbon atoms, 'H' represents hydrogen, 'F' is fluorine, 'N' is nitrogen, and 'O' is oxygen. The subscripts indicate the quantity of each atom, which is essential for accurately determining the molecular weight and understanding the molecule's structure.

Periodic Table of Elements

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized by atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties. Each element has a unique atomic weight, which is crucial for calculating molecular weights. Familiarity with the periodic table allows students to quickly find the atomic weights needed for the molecular weight calculation of compounds like atorvastatin.