Noun
general formula (plural general formulas or general formulae)
(chemistry) The molecular formula of a class of compounds in which actual numbers are represented by x, n etc., and organic radicals are represented as Rn
The general formula for saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons is CnH2n+2 and the molecular formula for propane is C3H8
The general formula for alcohols is R-OH and the molecular formula for methanol is CH3-OH