Question

Give the condensed structural formula for 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane.

Short answer

CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH(CH3)2-CH3

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the parent chain

The parent chain is pentane, which means it has 5 carbon atoms in a straight chain: C-C-C-C-C

- Identify the substituents

There are four methyl groups (CH3) attached to the parent chain. According to the name '2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane', there are two methyl groups on carbon 2 and two methyl groups on carbon 4.

- Attach the substituents to the parent chain

Attach the four methyl (CH3) groups to the appropriate carbons. This modifies our chain as follows: CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH(CH3)2-CH3

- Verify the structure

Ensure that all carbon atoms have four bonds and the structure is consistent with the name '2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane'. Condensed structural formula: CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH(CH3)2-CH3

Key concepts

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry focused on the study of carbon-containing compounds. It plays a crucial role in understanding biological processes, the development of pharmaceuticals, and the creation of new materials.

In organic chemistry, carbon atoms can form stable bonds with other carbon atoms and with different elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and halogens. This diversity creates a vast array of compounds.

Our particular focus is on hydrocarbons – compounds made of only carbon and hydrogen. These are classified into alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes based on the types of bonds between the carbon atoms.

Chemical Structure

The chemical structure of a molecule describes how atoms are arranged and bonded in that molecule. Understanding the structure is crucial because it influences the molecule's properties and behavior.

The 'condensed structural formula' is a way to express this structure more straightforwardly than drawing it out completely. For instance, in 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane, we write it as: CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH(CH3)2-CH3.

This formula shows how carbon atoms are connected (C) and where hydrogen atoms (H) are attached. Branches or substituents like the methyl groups (CH3) are placed at their respective positions, reflecting their connectivity in a compact form.

Isomers

Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. This means they have the same number of each type of atom but differ in how those atoms are connected.

In our example, 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane is a structural isomer of other molecules that also have 9 carbons and 20 hydrogens but are arranged differently.

Isomers are essential in organic chemistry because different structures can result in vastly different properties, such as melting and boiling points, reactivity, and how they interact with biological systems.

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are the simplest organic compounds and are composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. They serve as the foundational structures in organic chemistry.

Hydrocarbons can be categorized as:

• Alkanes - single bonds only (saturated hydrocarbons)
• Alkenes - contain double bonds
• Alkynes - contain triple bonds

2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane is an example of an alkane since all its carbon atoms are connected by single bonds.

Understanding these basic types of hydrocarbons helps us grasp more complex molecules and their behaviors. This knowledge is fundamental in many fields, including energy production, materials science, and pharmaceuticals.