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1.7: Drawing Organic Structures

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  • It is necessary to draw structural formulas for organic compounds because in most cases a molecular formula does not uniquely represent a single compound. Different compounds having the same molecular formula are called isomers, and the prevalence of organic isomers reflects the extraordinary versatility of carbon in forming strong bonds to itself and to other elements. When the group of atoms that make up the molecules of different isomers are bonded together in fundamentally different ways, we refer to such compounds as constitutional isomers. There are seven constitutional isomers of C4H10O, and structural formulas for these are drawn in the following table. These formulas represent all known and possible C4H10O compounds, and display a common structural feature. There are no double or triple bonds and no rings in any of these structures.

    Structural Formulas for C4H10O isomers

    Kekulé Formula Condensed Formula Shorthand Formula

    Simplification of structural formulas may be achieved without any loss of the information they convey. In condensed structural formulas the bonds to each carbon are omitted, but each distinct structural unit (group) is written with subscript numbers designating multiple substituents, including the hydrogens. Shorthand (line) formulas omit the symbols for carbon and hydrogen entirely. Each straight line segment represents a bond, the ends and intersections of the lines are carbon atoms, and the correct number of hydrogens is calculated from the tetravalency of carbon. Non-bonding valence shell electrons are omitted in these formulas.

    Developing the ability to visualize a three-dimensional structure from two-dimensional formulas requires practice, and in most cases the aid of molecular models. As noted earlier, many kinds of model kits are available to students and professional chemists, and the beginning student is encouraged to obtain one.

    Kekulé Formula


    Ex. Kekulé Formula for Ethanol: File:Physical_Chemistry/Quantum_Mechanics/Atomic_Theory/Chemical_Compounds/Formulas_of_Inorganic_and_Organic_Compounds/Ethanol_Jean_NEW.gif

    Condensed Formula



    Shorthand Formula


    Ex.Shorthand Formula for Ethanol: File:Physical_Chemistry/Quantum_Mechanics/Atomic_Theory/Chemical_Compounds/Formulas_of_Inorganic_and_Organic_Compounds/Line_Angle_Ethanol_Jean.gif


    • Jean Kim (UCD), Kristina Bonnett (UCD)
    • Layne Morsch (University of Illinois Springfield)
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