Chapter 22: Problem 37

Draw structures for all the alcohols with molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: There are 7 unique structures of alcohols with the given molecular formula, which are: 1. 1-pentanol 2. 1-butanol 3. 2-butanol 4. 1-propanol 5. 2-propanol 6. Ethanol 7. Methanol

Step by step solution

Determine the number of carbon atoms

The molecular formula contains 5 carbon atoms, so we will create structures with carbon chains of length 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, and arrange the -OH group and the remaining hydrogen atoms in different ways to create distinct alcohols.

Draw structures with a 5-carbon chain

There is only one way to place the -OH group on a 5-carbon chain. The structure will be a linear chain of 5 carbons, with each carbon (except the ones with the hydroxyl group) having 3 hydrogen atoms, and the hydroxyl group on one of the carbons: 1. 1-pentanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{OH}\)

Draw structures with a 4-carbon chain

When the carbon chain has 4 carbons, there are two distinct locations for the -OH group to create different isomers: 1. 1-butanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{OH}\) 2. 2-butanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH})\mathrm{CH}_{3}\)

Draw structures with a 3-carbon chain

When the carbon chain has 3 carbons, there are two ways to create isomers with an -OH group: 1. 1-propanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{OH}\) 2. 2-propanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH})\mathrm{CH}_{3}\)

Draw structures with a 2-carbon chain

When the carbon chain has 2 carbons, there is only one possible alcohol: 1. Ethanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{OH}\)

Draw structures with a 1-carbon chain

When the carbon chain has only 1 carbon, there is also only one possible alcohol: 1. Methanol: \(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\mathrm{OH}\) The final list of unique structures for alcohols with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\) are: 1. 1-pentanol 2. 1-butanol 3. 2-butanol 4. 1-propanol 5. 2-propanol 6. Ethanol 7. Methanol

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Draw structures for all the alcohols with molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}\).

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Determine the number of carbon atoms

Draw structures with a 5-carbon chain

Draw structures with a 4-carbon chain

Draw structures with a 3-carbon chain

Draw structures with a 2-carbon chain

Draw structures with a 1-carbon chain

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