Question

Challenge Draw the structures of the following branched-chain alkanes. a. 2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane b. 3,4,5-triethyloctane

Short answer

The structure of 2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane is: CH3 | CH3-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH(CH2-CH2-CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3 The structure of 3,4,5-triethyloctane is: CH3-CH2-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3

Step-by-step solution

a. 2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane

1. Identify the parent chain: The parent chain here is "decane" which has 10 carbon atoms in its chain. 2. Identify the substituents: We have 2 substituents here - 2,3-dimethyl and 5-propyl. 3. Draw the main chain: Draw decane with 10 carbons in a straight chain. 4. Add the substituents: Add "methyl" groups to the 2nd and 3rd carbons and a "propyl" group to the 5th carbon of the parent chain. 5. Label the carbons: Label the parent chain carbons from 1 to 10. The final structure of 2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane is: CH3 | CH3-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH(CH2-CH2-CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3

b. 3,4,5-triethyloctane

1. Identify the parent chain: The parent chain here is "octane," which has 8 carbon atoms in its chain. 2. Identify the substituents: We have one type of substituent here - 3,4,5-triethyl. 3. Draw the main chain: Draw octane with 8 carbons in a straight chain. 4. Add the substituents: Add "ethyl" groups to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th carbons of the parent chain. 5. Label the carbons: Label the parent chain carbons from 1 to 8. The final structure of 3,4,5-triethyloctane is: CH3-CH2-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH(CH2-CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3

Key concepts

Chemical Structure

Understanding chemical structure is essential in organic chemistry as it determines how atoms are arranged within a molecule. In the case of branched-chain alkanes, the structure consists of a continuous chain of carbon atoms with additional carbon groups branching off.
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. The name of a branched-chain alkane typically consists of a parent name, indicating the length of the longest chain, and prefixes indicating the positions and types of branches present.

• The parent chain is identified based on the number of carbon atoms it contains. For example, in 2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane, the parent is 'decane' with 10 carbons.
• Substituents are smaller carbon groups attached to the main chain. For instance, 'dimethyl' signifies two methyl groups attached, and in the case of '2,3-dimethyl-5-propyldecane', methyl groups are on the 2nd and 3rd carbons, while a propyl group is on the 5th.
• Proper labeling of carbon atoms in the chain helps locate where these substituents are attached, ensuring the structural integrity of the molecule is correctly understood.

Visualizing and drawing these structures requires practice, but it gives a clear idea of the molecule's overall architecture and potential chemical behavior.

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry focuses on carbon-containing compounds, exploring their structures, properties, and reactions. A significant part of this science is understanding how carbon atoms can form diverse structures due to their ability to create stable covalent bonds.
Branched-chain alkanes fall under the category of acyclic alkanes, which are composed solely of carbon and hydrogen. They are part of the larger family of organic compounds known as hydrocarbons. Organic chemistry principles are applied to:

• Identify the longest continuous carbon chain in a complex molecule, termed the parent chain.
• Determine the substituents' position by numbering the chain so the substituents have the lowest possible numbers.
• Name the compound accurately by combining the parent chain name with appropriate prefixes for each substituent, reflecting their quantity and position, such as di-, tri-, etc.

This branch of chemistry is foundational for understanding how molecules interact within biological systems, as well as in synthetic applications and material science.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons serve as the simplest form of organic molecules, consisting exclusively of hydrogen and carbon. They can be categorized further into aliphatic (including alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes) and aromatic compounds.
Branched-chain alkanes are a type of aliphatic hydrocarbon. These alkanes are completely saturated, indicating that all carbon atoms form single bonds and are bonded with the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible.

• Alkanes, such as those featured in the exercise, do not contain double or triple bonds, making them less reactive than unsaturated hydrocarbons.
• The structural diversity of hydrocarbons increases as branching occurs, affecting both physical and chemical properties.
• Branched-chain alkanes often have lower boiling points compared to their straight-chain counterparts, due to decreased surface area which affects intermolecular forces.

These properties make hydrocarbons crucial for practical applications such as fuels and lubricants, due to their ability to store energy within carbon-hydrogen bonds.