Question

Draw a structural formula for each of the following. a. 3-methylpentanoic acid b. ethyl methanoate c. methyl benzoate d. 3 -chloro- 2,4 -dimethylhexanoic acid

Short answer

The structural formulas for the given organic compounds are as follows: a. 3-methylpentanoic acid: HO-C-C-C-C-C \ CH3 b. ethyl methanoate: O || C- O- C-C \ H c. methyl benzoate: O || C- O- CH3 | (Benzene ring) d. 3-chloro-2,4-dimethylhexanoic acid: HO-C-C-Cl-C-C-C-C \ CH3 \ CH3

Step-by-step solution

1. Draw 3-methylpentanoic acid

First, identify the functional group and parent chain. In this case, the functional group is a carboxylic acid ("-oic acid") and the parent chain is "pentane". Draw a five-carbon chain, and place a carboxylic acid group on the end carbon. Next, locate the methyl group at the 3rd carbon position. The structural formula for 3-methylpentanoic acid is: HO-C-C-C-C-C \ CH3

2. Draw ethyl methanoate

Identify the functional group and parent chain. Here, the functional group is an ester ("-oate") and the parent chain is "methane". Draw a one-carbon chain, and place an ester group on it, which is an oxygen bonded to another carbon. Next, identify the ethyl group and attach it to the oxygen on the ester. The structural formula for ethyl methanoate is: O || C- O- C-C \ H

3. Draw methyl benzoate

First, identify the functional group and parent structure. In this case, the functional group is an ester ("-oate") and the parent structure is "benzene", which is a six-carbon ring with alternating double bonds. Draw the benzene ring with the ester group attached to one of the carbons. Lastly, attach a methyl group to the oxygen on the ester. The structural formula for methyl benzoate is: O || C- O- CH3 | (Benzene ring)

4. Draw 3 -chloro- 2,4 -dimethylhexanoic acid

In this compound, the functional group is a carboxylic acid ("-oic acid") and the parent chain is "hexane". Draw a six-carbon chain, and place a carboxylic acid group on the end carbon. Next, locate the methyl groups at the 2nd and 4th carbon positions and place a chlorine atom on the 3rd carbon. The structural formula for 3-chloro-2,4-dimethylhexanoic acid is: HO-C-C-Cl-C-C-C-C \ CH3 \ CH3