Question

Give structures and names for

(a) the five isomers of C₆H₁₄

(b) the nine isomers of C₇H₁₆

Short answer

To draw all alkanes of a given molecular formula, start with a straight chain, and then go to shorter chains with more branches.

Step-by-step solution

Common concept

To draw all alkanes of a given molecular formula, start with a straight chain, and then go to shorter chains with more branches.

(a)

To draw all C₆H₁₄ alkanes, start with a C6 chain, and then go to a C5 chain and C4 chain with a methyl group in each possible position.

(b)

To draw all C₇H₁₆ alkanes, start with a C7 chain, and then go to a C6 and C5 chain with a methyl group in each possible position. Next, draw a C5 chain with an ethyl group in each possible and then draw C4 chain with methyl group in each possible position.