Organic Chemistry - structural formulae

Question 1

What is a structural formula?

Answer 1

This is the formula of a compund displayed to show the bonds between the atoms as lines; organic compounds are often showed this way.

As a general rule in organic compounds:

1. carbon atoms must be bonded four times
2. oxygen atoms must be bonded twice
3. hydrogen atoms must bond only once

Question 2

What do you know about this compound?

Answer 2

• Name of compound: Methane
• Formula: CH₄
• Family: Alkanes
• Boiling point: –164^oC

Question 3

What do you know about this compound?

Answer 3

• Name of compound: Ethane
• Formula: C₂H₆
• Family: Alkanes
• Boiling point: –87^oC

Question 4

What do you know about this compound?

Answer 4

• Name of compound: Propane
• Formula: C₃H₈
• Family: Alkanes
• Boiling point: –42^oC

Question 5

What do you know about this compound?

Answer 5

• Name of compound: Butane
• Formula: C₄H₁₀
• Family: Alkanes
• Boiling point: –0.5^oC

Question 6

What do you know about this compound?

Answer 6

• Name of compound: 2-Methylpropane
• Formula: C₄H₁₀
• _{Family: Alkanes}
• _{Isomer of butane}