The molecular weight of Sorbitol [C₆H₁₄O₆] is 182.1726.

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: Sorbitol [C₆H₁₄O₆] Molecular Weight Calculation

Step 1: Find out the chemical formula and determine constituent atoms and their number in a Sorbitol molecule.
From the chemical formula, you will know different atoms and their number in a Sorbitol molecule. Chemical formula of Sorbitol is C₆H₁₄O₆. From the chemical formula of Sorbitol, you can find that one molecule of Sorbitol has six Carbon (C) atoms, fourteen Hydrogen (H) atoms and six 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 Sorbitol molecule by multiplying its atomic weight by its number.

Number of Carbon atoms in Sorbitol: 6
Atomic weight of Carbon: 12.0107
Total weight of Carbon atoms in Sorbitol: 12.0107 x 6 = 72.0642

Number of Hydrogen atoms in Sorbitol: 14
Atomic weight of Hydrogen: 1.008
Total weight of Hydrogen atoms in Sorbitol: 1.008 x 14 = 14.112

Number of Oxygen atoms in Sorbitol: 6
Atomic weight of Oxygen: 15.9994
Total weight of Oxygen atoms in Sorbitol: 15.9994 x 6 = 95.9964

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

Molecular weight of Sorbitol: 72.0642 (Carbon) + 14.112 (Hydrogen) + 95.9964 (Oxygen) = 182.1726

So the molecular weight of Sorbitol is 182.1726.

Sorbitol [C₆H₁₄O₆] 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