Chapter 24: Problem 85

Write the structural formulas for as many alcohols as you can think of that have empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified

We have three distinct alcohols with the empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\): 1) Propan-1-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_2\mathrm{OH}-\mathrm{CH}_2-\mathrm{CH}_3\) 2) Propan-2-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\) 3) 2-Methylpropan-2-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{C}(\mathrm{CH}_3)(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\)

Step by step solution

Identify the molecular formula from the empirical formula.

First, we need to find the molecular formula based on the empirical formula given: \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\). Since the empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound and the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms, in this case, the molecular formula is also \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\).

Primary isomers with structural arrangement of carbon atoms.

Now, we will find different isomers by rearranging the carbon and oxygen atoms in the molecule: 1) First isomer: A linear structure with three carbon atoms bonded together: \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\) 2) Second isomer: A branched structure where one carbon atom is connected to two other carbon atoms and a hydrogen atom: \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\) These are the primary structures we can form with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\).

Connect the -OH group to primary isomers.

We need to place the -OH group in the primary isomers found in step 2. We can have different distinct arrangements, resulting in different alcohols. 1) Linear structure: a) \(-\mathrm{OH}\) attached to the first carbon atom: \(\mathrm{CH}_2\mathrm{OH}-\mathrm{CH}_2-\mathrm{CH}_3\) b) \(-\mathrm{OH}\) attached to the middle carbon atom: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\) 2) Branched structure: a) \(-\mathrm{OH}\) attached to the carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{C}(\mathrm{CH}_3)(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\)

Write the final structural formulas for alcohols.

Based on the above arrangements, we have three distinct alcohols with the empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\): 1) Propan-1-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_2\mathrm{OH}-\mathrm{CH}_2-\mathrm{CH}_3\) 2) Propan-2-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\) 3) 2-Methylpropan-2-ol: \(\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{C}(\mathrm{CH}_3)(\mathrm{OH})-\mathrm{CH}_3\) These are the structural formulas for alcohols with the empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_3 \mathrm{H}_6 \mathrm{O}\).

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Write the structural formulas for as many alcohols as you can think of that have empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}\).

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify the molecular formula from the empirical formula.

Primary isomers with structural arrangement of carbon atoms.

Connect the -OH group to primary isomers.

Write the final structural formulas for alcohols.

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