Question

Give the common name and line drawing for ethanoic acid.

Short answer

The common name for ethanoic acid is acetic acid. The line drawing or skeletal formula of ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is \(CH_3COOH\).

Step-by-step solution

Common Name

The common name for ethanoic acid is acetic acid.

Line Drawing

The line drawing or skeletal formula of ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is: \[CH_3COOH\] Here, the carbonyl group (C=O) is bonded to the central carbon atom, which is also bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a methyl group (CH3).

Key concepts

Acetic Acid

Acetic acid is a simple carboxylic acid, often recognized by its sharp, pungent smell, reminiscent of vinegar. In fact, vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid! It is a significant chemical in both industrial and biological systems. Acetic acid plays a pivotal role in synthesizing various chemical compounds. Its systematic IUPAC name is ethanoic acid, which reflects its two-carbon structure. Despite its simplicity, this compound is crucial for producing plastics, food additives, and even pharmaceuticals.

The formula for acetic acid is depicted as either \\[CH_3COOH\] or its condensed form, \\[C_2H_4O_2\].

• It contains two carbon atoms, four hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms.
• The structure leads to diverse chemical reactions given its ability to donate protons (H⁺), making it slightly acidic.

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies carbon-based compounds. It investigates the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds. Since carbon atoms can form four bonds and build various structures, organic chemistry encompasses everything from ethanoic acid to complex polymers.

Ethanoic acid, as a part of organic chemistry, highlights the versatility of carbon bonding:

• It exhibits a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen (carbonyl group) and a single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (hydroxy group).
• The carbon-to-hydroxyl bond classifies it as a carboxylic acid, a prominent functional group in organic chemistry.
• Understanding the fundamental principles of organic chemistry helps in recognizing how small molecules like acetic acid are integral to larger biological processes.

Line Drawing

Line drawing is an essential tool in organic chemistry that provides a simplified way of representing complex molecules. It is sometimes referred to as the skeletal formula method.

In line drawings, every intersection and endpoint represents a carbon atom. Hydrogen atoms attached to the carbons are usually not shown explicitly.

• For acetic acid, the line drawing emphasizes the connectivity instead of focusing on the actual three-dimensional shape.
• This type of drawing efficiently conveys the molecular structure at a glance, making it easy for chemists to quickly understand and communicate molecular information.
• Remember, the absence of explicit hydrogen representation means that every carbon is understood to be fully saturated with hydrogen atoms not shown.

Skeletal Formula

The skeletal formula, often synonymous with line drawing, is a concise representation of organic molecules. It uses lines to depict bonds without explicitly showing each atom, especially hydrogen.

In the skeletal formula of acetic acid, the structure is simplified:

• Lines represent the carbon-carbon bonds, while the end of lines and junctions represent carbon atoms.
• Other atoms like oxygen in the functional groups are specifically depicted, such as the double-bonded oxygen in the carbonyl group.
• This visualization is excellent for noting functional groups and connectivity for molecules like acetic acid without overcrowding the diagram with too much detail.

Understanding skeletal formulas helps one quickly grasp the essential makeup and functional groups within organic compounds.