Question

Following are the structural formulas and names of four bicycloalkanes. Write the molecular formula of each compound. Which of these compounds are constitutional isomers?

Short answer

(1) Bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane (2) Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (3) Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (4) Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane Following the step by step solution: Step 1: Analyze the structural formulas (1) Bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane: 7 carbon atoms and 12 hydrogen atoms (2) Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane: 8 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms (3) Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: 9 carbon atoms and 16 hydrogen atoms (4) Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane: 10 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms Step 2: Write the molecular formula of each compound (1) Bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane: C7H12 (2) Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane: C8H14 (3) Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane: C9H16 (4) Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane: C10H18 Step 3: Identify the constitutional isomers Comparing the molecular formulas, we can see that none of the bicycloalkanes have the same molecular formula. Therefore, there are no constitutional isomers among the given compounds.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the structural formulas

Examine the structural formulas of the bicycloalkanes and count the number of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms in each compound.

Write the molecular formula of each compound

After determining the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in each bicycloalkane, write the molecular formula for each of the compounds as follows: C_xH_y where x represents the number of carbon atoms and y represents the number of hydrogen atoms.

Identify the constitutional isomers

Compare the molecular formulas of all four bicycloalkanes. Two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of the atoms are constitutional isomers. Identify these compounds, if there are any, among the bicycloalkanes provided.