Drawing Structural Formula Using the Alcohol Name

Structural Formula Using the Alcohol Name

Step-by-Step Guide:

Recognise It's an Alcohol:

• Identify that the compound is an alcohol (alkanol) based on the '-ol' ending in the name.

Determine the Number of Carbon Atoms:

• Analyse the name to determine the number of carbon atoms in the main chain. In this case, it's 'pentan', indicating a chain of 5 carbon atoms.

Locate Branches and Position:

• Find any branches or substituents in the name. For example, '3-methyl' indicates a methyl group attached to the 3rd carbon atom.

Start Drawing the Chain:

• Draw a line representing the main carbon chain with the designated number of carbon atoms. Place bonds between each carbon atom, ensuring that each carbon has four bonds in total.

Attach the Hydroxyl Group (-OH):

• Count from one end of the chain to locate the 2nd carbon atom. Attach the hydroxyl (-OH) group to one of the bonds on this carbon atom.

Add the Methyl Group (-CH₃):

• Count from the same end of the chain to find the 3rd carbon atom. Attach the methyl (-CH₃) group to one of the bonds on this carbon atom.

Complete with Hydrogen Atoms (H):

• Ensure that all remaining bonds not connected to carbon atoms are filled with hydrogen atoms (H).

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Drawing Structural Formula Using the Alcohol Name

Conclusion:

• Drawing the structural formula of alcohol involves recognising the type of compound, determining the carbon chain length, locating branches, and positioning the functional groups correctly on the carbon atoms. The remaining bonds are filled with hydrogen atoms.