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Chapter 21: Problem 24

Draw the structures for two examples of unsaturated hydrocarbons. What structural feature makes a hydrocarbon unsaturated?

Short Answer

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Two examples of unsaturated hydrocarbons are ethene and ethyne. Ethene has the molecular formula \( C_{2}H_{4} \) and its structure is: H H \ / C=C / \ H H Ethyne has the molecular formula \( C_{2}H_{2} \) and its structure is: H H \ / C≡C / \ H H The structural feature that makes a hydrocarbon unsaturated is the presence of double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms. Ethene has a double bond, and ethyne has a triple bond between carbon atoms, making them both unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

A hydrocarbon is an organic compound that consists of hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) atoms. These compounds can be classified into two main groups based on the type of chemical bonds between the carbon atoms: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Saturated hydrocarbons have single bonds between the carbon atoms, while unsaturated hydrocarbons have one or more double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms.
02

Knowing the General Formulas for Alkenes and Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons can be further divided into two categories: alkenes and alkynes. Alkenes have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds denoted by the general formula \( C_{n}H_{2n} \), whereas alkynes have one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds denoted by the general formula \( C_{n}H_{2n-2} \).
03

Drawing Examples of Alkenes and Alkynes

Let's draw the structures of one alkene and one alkyne, which are both unsaturated hydrocarbons. Example 1: Ethene (an alkene) Ethene has two carbon atoms and falls under the alkene category, so its molecular formula will be \( C_{2}H_{4} \). The structure of ethene is drawn as follows: H H \ / C=C / \ H H Example 2: Ethyne (an alkyne) Ethyne has two carbon atoms and falls under the alkyne category, so its molecular formula will be \( C_{2}H_{2} \). The structure of ethyne is drawn as follows: H H \ / C≡C / \ H H
04

Identifying the Structural Feature that Makes a Hydrocarbon Unsaturated

The structural feature that makes hydrocarbons unsaturated is the presence of double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms. In the examples, ethene has a double bond and ethyne has a triple bond between carbon atoms, making them both unsaturated hydrocarbons.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Draw the following incorrectly named compounds and name them correctly. a. 2 -ethyl- 3 -methyl- 5 -isopropylhexane b. 2 -ethyl-4-tert-butylpentane c. 3 -methyl- 4 -isopropylpentane d. 2 -ethyl- 3 -butyne

If one hydrogen in a hydrocarbon is replaced by a halogen atom, the number of isomers that exist for the substituted compound depends on the number of types of hydrogen in the original hydrocarbon. Thus there is only one form of chloroethane (all hydrogens in ethane are equivalent), but there are two isomers of propane that arise from the substitution of a methyl hydrogen or a methylene hydrogen. How many isomers can be obtained when one hydrogen in each of the compounds named below is replaced by a chlorine atom? a. \(n\) -pentane c. 2,4 -dimethylpentane b. 2 -methylbutane d. methylcyclobutane

Explain why methyl alcohol is soluble in water in all proportions, while stearyl alcohol \(\left[\mathrm{CH}_{3}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{16} \mathrm{OH}\right]\) is a waxy solid that is not soluble in water.

What is polystyrene? The following processes result in a stronger polystyrene polymer. Explain why in each case. a. addition of catalyst to form syndiotactic polystyrene b. addition of 1,3 -butadiene and sulfur c. producing long chains of polystyrene d. addition of a catalyst to make linear polystyrene

Considering your answers to Exercises 130 and \(131,\) how can you justify the existence of proteins and nucleic acids in light of the second law of thermodynamics?
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