Question

The compound of molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) may have (A) Alcohol (B) Aldehyde (C) Ketone (D) Ether

Short answer

The compound with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) may either be an Aldehyde (B) or a Ketone (C), as these are the two options that match the given molecular formula.

Step-by-step solution

Alcohol functional group

Alcohol has the functional group -OH. As there are 5 carbon atoms in the molecular formula and including the -OH group, the molecular formula for alcohol would be \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{11} \mathrm{OH}\). Notice, this formula does not match the given molecular formula.

Aldehyde functional group

Aldehyde has the functional group -CHO, which is present at the end of the carbon chain. If we consider an aldehyde with 5 carbon atoms and including the -CHO group, the molecular formula would be \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\). In this case, the molecular formula for aldehyde matches the given molecular formula.

Ketone functional group

Ketone has the functional group -C=O, which is present at the middle of the carbon chain. If we consider a ketone with 5 carbon atoms and the -C=O functional group, the molecular formula would be \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\). The molecular formula for the ketone also matches the given molecular formula.

Ether functional group

Ether has the functional group -O-, which is present between two carbon atoms. If we consider an ether compound with 5 carbon atoms and -O- functional group, the molecular formula would be \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\). Notice, this formula does not match the given molecular formula. Now, let's analyze the conclusions we made in the previous steps:

Comparing molecular formulas obtained

From the analysis above, we have found that the given molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) matches the molecular formulas obtained in Steps 2 and 3. These two options are: (A) Aldehyde (C) Ketone Thus, the compound with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) may either be an Aldehyde (B) or a Ketone (C).

Key concepts

Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry

When we dive into the realm of organic chemistry, we're entering a world filled with a variety of compounds, each with their own unique set of properties. One of the fundamental concepts that help us navigate through this complex landscape is the understanding of functional groups. A functional group is like a distinctive badge on a molecule that dictates how it behaves in chemical reactions.

Picture functional groups as the parts of the molecules where most chemical reactions occur. They are specific groupings of atoms that give the molecule much of its reactivity and properties. In the context of our exercise, we explored functional groups such as alcohols (-OH), aldehydes (-CHO), ketones (-C=O), and ethers (-O-). Each functional group imparts different chemical characteristics to the molecules they belong to. For instance, alcohols are known for their characteristic hydroxyl group (-OH), which is responsible for their solubility in water and reactivity with acids and bases.

Understanding these groups is crucial for students to predict the behavior of organic molecules and is a stepping stone to mastering organic synthesis and reactivity.

Molecular Formula Identification

Identification of a compound using its molecular formula is like playing a game of molecular detective. The molecular formula gives us the numbers of each type of atom in a molecule, such as carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in our particular problem. The formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) is our clue to unraveling the structure of the molecule.

It's important for students to note that the same molecular formula can represent different compounds, which is known as isomerism. This requires a deeper analysis of how these atoms are arranged and connected, which brings into play the functional groups, as they can greatly alter the properties of the molecules they are part of. For instance, an aldehyde and a ketone can have the same molecular formula, but the position of the carbonyl group (C=O) can lead us to different substances with distinct reactivity and physical properties.

Aldehyde and Ketone Differentiation

Aldehydes and ketones often spark confusion among students, as they share the carbonyl functional group (C=O). But there's a trick to tell them apart: their structure. Aldehydes have the carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain (making them terminal functional groups), represented as -CHO. In contrast, ketones have the group located within the carbon chain, essentially