Question 23.2: The following condensed structures have the same formula, C8......
The following condensed structures have the same formula, C_{8}H_{18} Which of them represent the same molecule?
STRATEGY
Pay attention to the order of connection between atoms. Don’t get confused by the apparent differences caused by writing a structure right-to-left versus left-to-right.
Structure (a) has a straight chain of six carbons with –CH_{3} branches on the second and fourth carbons from the end. Structure (b) also has a straight chain of six carbons with –CH_{3} branches on the second and fourth carbons from the end and is therefore identi-cal to (a). The only difference between (a) and (b) is that one is written “forward” and one is written “backward.” Structure (c) has a straight chain of six carbons with –CH_{3} branches on the second and fifth carbons from the end, so it is an isomer of (a) and (b).