Combustion analysis is a cornerstone analytical technique in organic chemistry used to determine the empirical formula of pure organic compounds. The method involves complete combustion of a sample in excess oxygen, converting carbon to CO₂, hydrogen to H₂O, and other elements to their characteristic oxides. By precisely measuring these combustion products, chemists can calculate the elemental composition and derive the empirical formula. This technique has revolutionized organic chemistry since its development in the early 19th century and remains essential for compound characterization, purity assessment, and structural determination.
