Question

Find the number of \(3^{\circ}\) carbon atoms in compound \(N\)-cyclobutyl-N- cyclo-propy \(\mid-3,4\) dimethyl hexan- -

Short answer

There are a total of 2 tertiary carbon atoms in the given compound N-cyclobutyl-N-cyclo-propy-3,4 dimethyl hexan-3 amide. One is present in the N-cyclopropyl group and the other is in the hexan-3-amide chain.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the primary structure of the compound

First, we need to determine the primary structure of the given compound. This compound has several components: a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopropyl group, dimethyl groups, and a hexan-3-amide chain.

Draw the structure of the compound

To draw the structure, we will follow these steps: 1. Draw a cyclobutane ring and label one of its carbons as N-cyclobutyl. 2. Draw an N-cyclopropyl group attached to the nitrogen, which will be a cyclopropane ring connected to the nitrogen atom. 3. Draw a hexane chain with an amide group at the 3rd carbon and methyl groups at the 3rd and 4th carbons. Here's the drawn structure: ``` N--C1 / | / C2 C3---C4---C5---C6---C7---O (CH3) | | (CH3) (CH2) (CH2) ```

Identify the tertiary carbon atoms

To find the 3° carbon atoms, we'll look for carbon atoms that are bonded to three other carbon atoms. In the cyclobutyl group, there are no tertiary carbon atoms as all the carbon atoms are bonded to two other carbon atoms. In the N-cyclopropyl group, there is one tertiary carbon atom (C2 in the structure), which is bonded to three other carbon atoms (the nitrogen atom, C1, and C3). In the hexan-3-amide chain, there is one tertiary carbon atom (C4 in the structure), which is bonded to three other carbon atoms (C3, C5, and a methyl group).

Count the tertiary carbon atoms

Now, we can count the number of 3° carbon atoms in the compound: 1 from the N-cyclopropyl group + 1 from the hexan-3-amide chain = 2 So, there are a total of 2 tertiary carbon atoms in the given compound.

Key concepts

Tertiary Carbon Atoms

In organic chemistry, a tertiary carbon atom is a carbon atom that is bonded to three other carbon atoms. These are often denoted as \(3^{\circ}\) carbons.
Understanding tertiary carbons is crucial because they are more reactive compared to primary and secondary carbons.
To identify a tertiary carbon atom in a molecular structure:

• Count the number of direct carbon-carbon bonds a specific carbon has.
• Identify if exactly three such bonds lead to other carbon atoms.

In the exercise you are looking at, a tertiary carbon is present in both the N-cyclopropyl group and the hexan-3-amide part of the structure. This ability to spot tertiary carbons helps in predicting the compound's reactivity and stability.

Molecular Structure

The molecular structure of a compound defines how atoms are arranged in space and bonded together. This structure is crucial for determining the chemical properties and behavior of the compound.
In the exercise, the molecular structure includes different components, such as:

• Cyclobutyl and cyclopropyl groups, which are cyclic hydrocarbon rings.
• A dimethyl group, implying two methyl branches.
• A hexan-3-amide chain, consisting of a linear sequence of carbon atoms with an amide at the third position.

Drawing such complex structures can initially seem daunting, but breaking them down into smaller, more recognizable units helps in understanding the complete setup. Breaking it into cycloalkanes, linear chains, and functional groups simplifies the analysis.

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are molecules primarily made up of carbon atoms, often arranged in chains or rings, and may include functional groups like amines, amides, or alcohols.
Carbon's ability to form stable \(C-C\) and \(C-H\) bonds allows for an immense variety of structures, which is why organic chemistry focuses so heavily on this element.
The compound from the exercise falls under organic chemistry due to its carbon backbone and the presence of amide and nitrogen groups:

• The presence of cycloalkyl groups, which are ring structures made solely of carbon and hydrogen.
• The functional amide group, which is a key component influencing the compound's reactivity.

Understanding organic compounds involves not just recognizing these components, but also predicting how they might interact or react under different conditions.

Naming Conventions

In organic chemistry, naming conventions follow the IUPAC system to ensure clarity and uniformity worldwide. This system helps chemists communicate effectively about complex molecular structures.
A name like \(N\)-cyclobutyl-\(N\)-cyclopropy-3,4-dimethylhexan-3-amide gives detailed information about the compound:

• "N-cyclobutyl" and "N-cyclopropyl" indicate the groups attached to the nitrogen atom, which is part of the amide functional group.
• "3,4-dimethyl" specifies two methyl groups located at the third and fourth positions of the main carbon chain.
• "Hexan" refers to the six-carbon main chain, and "amide" indicates the presence of an amide functional group at the third carbon.

Mastering these naming conventions allows chemists to decipher or construct intricate molecular names efficiently, aiding in research, synthesis, and analysis.