Question

Draw the structural isomers of the alkane \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\)

Short answer

Based on the step by step solution provided, answer the following question: How many structural isomers are there for the compound \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\), and name two of them. Answer: There are five structural isomers for the compound \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\). Two of them are n-Hexane and 2-Methylpentane.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the number of isomers

To find out the number of isomers for \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\), we need to think about all the possible ways of arranging six carbon atoms and the corresponding hydrogen atoms while satisfying the bonding requirements of carbon. Since carbon has four bonding sites, we have to ensure that each arrangement caters to those requirements.

Draw the isomers

Now that we know that there are five isomers for \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\), let's draw each of them with their proper structural representation. 1. **n-Hexane**: Linear chain of six carbon atoms with all single bonds \(\displaystyle \mathrm{H_{3}C{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{3}}\) 2. **2-Methylpentane**: A five-carbon linear chain with a methyl group on the second carbon atom \(\displaystyle \mathrm{H_{3}C{-}CH{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{3}}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} |}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} CH_{3}}\) 3. **3-Methylpentane**: A five-carbon linear chain with a methyl group on the third carbon atom \(\displaystyle \mathrm{H_{3}C{-}CH_{2}{-}CH{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{3}}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{lllll} |}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{lllll} CH_{3}}\) 4. **2,2-Dimethylbutane**: A four-carbon linear chain with two methyl groups on the second carbon atom \(\displaystyle \mathrm{H_{3}C{-}C{-}CH_{2}{-}CH_{3}}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} | \phantom{lllll} |}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} CH_{3} \phantom{lllll} CH_{3}}\) 5. **2,3-Dimethylbutane**: A four-carbon linear chain with one methyl group on the second carbon atom and another on the third carbon atom \(\displaystyle \mathrm{H_{3}C{-}CH{-}C{-}CH_{3}}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} | \phantom{llll} |}\) \(\displaystyle \mathrm{\phantom{llll} CH_{3} \phantom{llll} CH_{3}}\) These are the five structural isomers of \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\).