Writing Condensed Structural Formulas

Write the condensed structural formula of each of the following alkanes.

Question

Writing Condensed Structural Formulas

Write the condensed structural formula of each of the following alkanes.

Accepted Answer

a. To write the condensed structural formula, it helps to identify the carbon backbone, or the skeleton of carbon atoms in the molecule. It is good practice to write the longest chain of carbon atoms in the molecule in a straight line. For this case, the skeleton looks like:

Next, write the appropriate number of [latex]\mathrm{H}[/latex] atoms next to each carbon atom.

Finally, find the straight chain(s) of carbon atoms that contain more than two carbon atoms and remove only the bonds (dashes) that connect those carbon atoms.

After a little practice you will be able to combine these steps.

b. Following the steps outlined above, the condensed structural formula for the part b molecule is

Either of the above structures is correct; the choice of which structure you use depends on how much structural information you want to convey. Following the steps in the solution for part a, and recognizing that the [latex]-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{CH}_{3}[/latex] fragment in the structure on the left is a chain of carbons, you should be able to arrive at the structure on the right.

Question 24.1: Writing Condensed Structural Formulas Write the condensed st...

Related Answered Questions

Writing the IUPAC Name of an Alkene Given the Structural Formula What is the IUPAC name of each of the following alkenes? ...

Verified Answer:

Writing the Structural Formula of an Alkane Given the IUPAC Name Write the condensed structural formula of 4-ethyl-3-methylheptane. ...

Verified Answer:

Writing the IUPAC Name of an Alkane Given the Structural Formula Give the IUPAC name for each of the following compounds. ...

Verified Answer:

Predicting the Major Product of an Addition Reaction What is the major product of the following reaction? ...

Verified Answer:

Predicting cis-trans Isomers For each of the following alkenes, decide whether cis–trans isomers are possible. If so draw structural formulas of the isomers. a. CH3CH2CH=C(CH3)2 b. CH3CH=CHCH2CH3 ...

Verified Answer: