The molecular weight of Glycolaldehyde (HOCH₂CHO) is 60.0522.

To calculate molecular weight of any compound, the first step is to know the constituent atoms and their number in that particular compound. Then calculate the total weight of each atom by multiplying its atomic weight by its number. The sum of total weight of all constituent atoms will be the molecular weight of the compound. Note that the value of atomic weight may differ slightly from different sources.

CALCULATION PROCEDURE: Glycolaldehyde (HOCH₂CHO) Molecular Weight Calculation

Step 1: Find out the chemical formula and determine constituent atoms and their number in a Glycolaldehyde molecule.
From the chemical formula, you will know different atoms and their number in a Glycolaldehyde molecule. Chemical formula of Glycolaldehyde is C₂H₄O₂. From the chemical formula of Glycolaldehyde, you can find that one molecule of Glycolaldehyde has two Carbon (C) atoms, four Hydrogen (H) atoms and two Oxygen (O) atoms.

Step 2: Find out atomic weights of each atom (from periodic table).

Atomic weight of Carbon (C): 12.0107 (Ref: Jlab-ele006)
Atomic weight of Hydrogen (H) : 1.008 (Ref: Lanl-1)
Atomic weight of Oxygen (O) : 15.9994 (Ref: Jlab-ele008)

Step 3: Calculate the total weight of each atom present in a Glycolaldehyde molecule by multiplying its atomic weight by its number.

Number of Carbon atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 2
Atomic weight of Carbon: 12.0107
Total weight of Carbon atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 12.0107 x 2 = 24.0214

Number of Hydrogen atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 4
Atomic weight of Hydrogen: 1.008
Total weight of Hydrogen atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 1.008 x 4 = 4.032

Number of Oxygen atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 2
Atomic weight of Oxygen: 15.9994
Total weight of Oxygen atoms in Glycolaldehyde: 15.9994 x 2 = 31.9988

Step 4: Calculate the molecular weight of Glycolaldehyde by adding up the total weight of all atoms.

Molecular weight of Glycolaldehyde: 24.0214 (Carbon) + 4.032 (Hydrogen) + 31.9988 (Oxygen) = 60.0522

So the molecular weight of Glycolaldehyde is 60.0522.

Glycolaldehyde (HOCH₂CHO) Molecular Weight Calculation

REFERENCES:

• Lanl-1: https://periodic.lanl.gov/1.shtml 
• Pubchem-Hydrogen : https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Hydrogen 
• Jlab-ele006; https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele006.html
• Pubchem-6: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/6
• Jlab-ele008: https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele008.html
• Pubchem-8: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/8

See also:

• Apiose (C5H10O5) Molecular Weight Calculation