Question

Squalene, a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C₃₀H₅₀, is obtained from shark liver. (Squalus is Latin for “shark.”) If squalene is an acyclic compound, how many π bonds does it have?

Short answer

Squalene, a hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C₃₀H₅₀, is obtained from shark liver. (Squalus is Latin for “shark.”) If squalene is an acyclic compound, then it has 6 p bonds.

Step-by-step solution

What is the degree of unsaturation

The total number of p bonds and rings in a hydrocarbon is called degree of unsaturation.

What is p bond-

When formation of double bond or triple bond occurs then there will be the presence of p bond. In double bond there is one p bond and in triple bond there is two p bonds. p bond is formed with the help of two electrons so when p bond is formed two hydrogens will become less than the simple hydrocarbon chain.

When ring formed then also two hydrogen will become less from the simple hydrocarbon chain.

How to find

a)For a 30-carbon hydrocarbon with no p bonds and no rings, C_nH_{2n + 2} = C₃₀H₆₂. A

30-carbon compound with molecular formula C₃₀H₅₀ has twelve fewer hydrogens, so the degree of unsaturation is 12/2 = 6.

Squalene structure