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Draw the structural formula of an organic compound of molecular formula C4H8 - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 1(i) - 2005
Question 1(i)
Draw the structural formula of an organic compound of molecular formula C4H8. Label clearly any tetrahedrally bonded carbon atom in the molecule.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Draw the structural formula of an organic compound of molecular formula C4H8 - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 1(i) - 2005
Step 1
Draw the structural formula of C4H8
Answer
To draw the structural formula of the organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8, we can choose to represent it as a straight-chain alkene. One example is butene (specifically 1-butene). The structure is depicted as:
H H
\ /
C
/ \
H C H
|
C
/
H
In this structure, the first and second carbons are bonded by a double bond, which is characteristic of alkenes.
Step 2
Label tetrahedral carbon atom
Answer
In the above structure, the carbon atom that is tetrahedrally bonded is the third carbon atom. A tetrahedral carbon is defined as being bonded to four different substituents. In this case, the carbon atom in the middle of the chain, attached to the two neighboring carbons (one via a double bond and one via a single bond), is labeled as a tetrahedral carbon as it forms four bonds.