Question

Draw the structural isomers of \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) in which two of the hydrogen atoms of \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\) have been replaced by chlorine atoms.

Short answer

Answer: The two possible isomers for a molecule with the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) are: 1. A molecule with both chlorine atoms bonded to the same carbon atom. 2. A molecule with one chlorine atom bonded to each of two adjacent carbon atoms.

Step-by-step solution

Draw the base structure of \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\)

We start with a 3-carbon chain (propane) with single bonds connecting each carbon, and hydrogen atoms bonded to each carbon: H H H | | | H-C-C-C-H | | | H H H Each carbon atom has a total of 4 single covalent bonds, with hydrogen atoms filling any unused bonding spots, fulfilling the octet rule.

Replace two hydrogen atoms with two chlorine atoms

Now we will replace two hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms. There are two different ways to do this while maintaining distinct isomers: 1. Replace two hydrogen atoms on the same carbon: Cl H H | | | Cl-C-C-C-H | | | H H H 2. Replace one hydrogen atom on two adjacent carbons: Cl H H | | | H-C-C-C-Cl | | | H H H These are the 2 possible isomers for \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\). To summarize the solution: 1. Draw the base structure of \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\). 2. Replace two hydrogen atoms with two chlorine atoms to create the 2 distinct isomers.