Question

What is the empirical formula of cellulose? What is the unit that forms the basis of the cellulose polymer? What form of linkage joins these monomeric units?

Short answer

The empirical formula of cellulose is \(C_6H_{10}O_5\). The monomeric unit that forms the basis of the cellulose polymer is β-D-glucose. The linkage that joins these monomeric units in cellulose is β(1→4) glycosidic linkage.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the empirical formula of cellulose

The empirical formula of cellulose is \(C_6H_{10}O_5\). This formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound.

Determine the monomeric unit of the cellulose polymer

The monomeric unit that forms the basis of the cellulose polymer is the glucose molecule, specifically β-D-glucose. This is because cellulose is a polysaccharide formed by the linear polymerization of glucose molecules.

Identify the linkage that connects the monomeric units

The linkage that joins the monomeric units (glucose molecules) in cellulose is β(1→4) glycosidic linkage. This type of linkage occurs when a hydroxyl (–OH) group on the first carbon of one glucose molecule forms a bond with a hydroxyl group on the fourth carbon of an adjacent glucose molecule, resulting in the formation of a glycosidic bond and the release of a water molecule.