Question

Write the condensed structural formulas for the organic compounds: (a) octane (b) heptanoic acid (c) 3-hexanol (d) 2 -chlorobutane

Short answer

The condensed structural formulas are: (a) Octane: \(C_8H_{18}\), (b) Heptanoic Acid: \(C_7H_{14}O_2\), (c) 3-Hexanol: \(C_6H_{13}OH\), (d) 2 -Chlorobutane: \(C_4H_9Cl\)

Step-by-step solution

Octane

The prefix 'oct' refers to eight carbon atoms, and the 'ane' indicates that it's an alkane. Therefore, the condensed structural formula will be \(C_8H_{18}\)

Heptanoic Acid

The prefix 'hept' implies a chain of seven carbon atoms, and 'anoic acid' indicates that it's a carboxylic acid. Therefore, the condensed structural formula will be \(C_7H_{14}O_2\)

3-Hexanol

The prefix 'hex' signifies six carbon atoms, and the 'ol' suffix denotes an alcohol. The '3' in the front refers to the position of the hydroxy group (-OH) on the third carbon atom. Therefore, the condensed structural formula will be \(C_6H_{13}OH\)

2-Chlorobutane

The prefix 'but' denotes four carbon atoms, 'ane' signifies that it's an alkane, and '2-Chloro' indicates there is a Chlorine atom attached on the second carbon. Therefore, the condensed structural formula will be \(C_4H_9Cl\)

Key concepts

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are mainly composed of carbon atoms and are considered the backbone of chemistry, particularly in biological systems. These compounds typically consist of carbon atoms bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. A crucial feature of organic compounds is their ability to form large and complex structures.
One reason these compounds can be so versatile is because carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds, allowing for a variety of structures and shapes. This results in the formation of different chains, rings, and networks.
Understanding organic compounds is essential in many fields, such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and biochemistry. They serve as the basis for life on earth, present in DNA, proteins, drugs, and more.

Naming Conventions

Naming conventions in organic chemistry help us identify and communicate the structure of different compounds efficiently. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules standardize these names to avoid confusion.
The name of an organic compound provides information about the number of carbon atoms, the type of bonds, and any functional groups present in the molecule. For instance:

• The "oct" in octane indicates eight carbon atoms linked together, while "ane" implies that these are single bonds.
• "Heptanoic acid" implies seven carbons with a carboxylic acid group (-COOH).
• "3-Hexanol" tells us there are six carbons, and the `ol` shows there is an alcohol group on the third carbon.
• "2-Chlorobutane" suggests four carbon atoms with a chlorine atom on the second carbon.

Using these conventions, even intricate molecular structures can be accurately represented through names.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine the characteristics and chemical reactivity of those molecules. They are the focal point of chemical reactions and play a key role in classifying and naming organic compounds.
For example:

• The hydroxyl group (-OH) in alcohols like 3-hexanol makes the compound capable of forming hydrogen bonds, affecting its solubility in water.
• The carboxyl group (-COOH) in carboxylic acids, such as heptanoic acid, is highly polar and acidic, influencing the compound's behavior in chemical reactions.
• A chlorine atom as in 2-chlorobutane, serves as a halogen functional group, altering the compound's reactivity and solubility.

Recognizing functional groups is critical for predicting the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are the simplest type of organic compounds, consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. They are fundamental in understanding organic chemistry because they form the basic structure that other functional groups modify.
These compounds can be classified into different types, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes:

• Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons containing only single bonds between carbon atoms. Octane, for example, is an alkane with the formula \(C_8H_{18}\).
• Alkenes have at least one double bond, affecting their reactivity and physical properties.
• Alkynes contain one or more triple bonds, and are less common than alkanes and alkenes.

Understanding the differences between these types of hydrocarbons is important for predicting their behavior and uses, such as their role as fuels or precursors to other organic compounds.