Question

Draw the structure for 1,1,1 -trichloroethane, a solvent formerly used for dry cleaning clothes.

Short answer

The structure of 1,1,1-trichloroethane is \( \text{Cl}_3\text{C}-\text{CH}_3 \).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Compound Name

The chemical name given is 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The 'ethane' prefix indicates that the compound is derived from ethane (C_2H_6), which means it has a two-carbon backbone.

Identify Substituents

The name '1,1,1-trichloro' indicates that there are three chlorine (Cl) atoms attached to one of the carbon atoms in the ethane chain. Specifically, all three chlorine atoms are attached to the same carbon, referred to as the '1' position.

Draw Carbon Backbones

Draw the two-carbon chain structure of ethane. This can be shown as C-C, where each carbon atom is initially considered bonded to three hydrogen atoms, due to ethane's typical molecular structure (C_2H_6).

Substitute Chlorine Atoms

Replace three of the hydrogen atoms on the first carbon with three chlorine atoms, according to the '1,1,1-tri' prefix. The structure besides the hydrogens should now appear as Cl-C-Cl-Cl.

Complete the Structure

The final structure of 1,1,1-trichloroethane should maintain the balanced number of bonds each atom naturally forms, and can be drawn as: \[ \text{Cl}_3\text{C}-\text{CH}_3 \]. Each carbon atom should have four bonds: the first carbon is bonded to three Cl atoms and the adjacent carbon, while the second carbon is bonded to three H atoms and the adjacent carbon.

Key concepts

Molecular Structure

Understanding the molecular structure of a compound is fundamental in organic chemistry. A molecule's structure dictates its properties and how it interacts in reactions. Molecular structures are composed of atoms bonded together in various ways. In the case of 1,1,1-trichloroethane, the structure is built around a two-carbon backbone, initially called ethane, which is a simple alkane with the formula \( C_2H_6 \). This backbone indicates that there are two carbon atoms connected in a single line. Each carbon in an alkane typically forms four covalent bonds—hydrogen atoms complete the remainder of these bonds in the simplest form of alkanes. When examining complex organic molecules, identifying the carbon backbone is critical. It serves as the framework upon which the rest of the molecular architecture is arranged, including any modifications or substitutions that define different substances.

Chemical Substituents

Chemical substituents are atoms or groups of atoms that replace hydrogen atoms in a molecular structure. They often significantly influence the physical and chemical properties of molecules. In 1,1,1-trichloroethane, the substituents are the three chlorine (Cl) atoms. These chlorine atoms replace hydrogen atoms on one of the two carbon atoms in ethane.

The prefix '1,1,1-tri' indicates three identical substituents (Cl atoms) are attached to the same carbon atom, specifically the carbon designated as '1'. This substitution pattern can markedly alter the compound’s behavior, influencing factors like boiling point, solubility, and reactivity.

When identifying or designing molecules, recognizing the role of substituents helps predict how the modified molecule will perform in practical applications. It's important to note how the position and identity of substituents govern not only the chemical properties but also affect the compound's naming in systematic nomenclature systems.

IUPAC Nomenclature

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) system provides a standardized method for naming chemical compounds. Proper naming is essential for uniformity and avoiding confusion in chemical communications globally.

In the name 1,1,1-trichloroethane, several aspects of the IUPAC nomenclature are visible. The suffix 'ethane' tells us the molecule is based on a two-carbon chain, typical of simple alkanes. The 'tri' prefix before 'chloro' indicates that three chlorine atoms are present. Each chlorine’s position is indicated by the number '1,1,1', demonstrating that all three atoms are connected to the first carbon atom of the ethane chain.

This precise naming calculus ensures clarity in conveying not just the types of atoms present in a compound, but also their specific arrangement. IUPAC names help chemists effectively communicate complex molecular information, ensuring accurate identification and analysis throughout the scientific community.