Identify the correct statement among the following (a) The minimum number of Carbon atoms in a branched alkane is three. b.is an unsaturated compound. (c)is known as ethane-1,2-dioic acid. (d) is known as 2 -ethylbutane.

In organic chemistry, alkanes are the simplest form of hydrocarbons, consisting solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms with single bonds. When we talk about branched alkanes, we are referring to those alkanes that have a tree-like structure due to the presence of carbon atoms that do not lie in a straight chain.

For a compound to be considered a branched alkane, the minimum number of carbon atoms must be three. This is because, with only two carbons, you can only form ethane, which has a straight chain. However, with three carbons, you can have the first isomer, which is propane, and its branched isomer, isobutane (or methylpropane). Isobutane is thus the simplest branched alkane. The presence of branches in alkanes affects their boiling and melting points and can also influence their reactivity in certain chemical reactions.

Moving towards unsaturated compounds, it's important to highlight their role in the diversity of organic compounds.

An unsaturated compound contains at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms. These bonds are significant as they provide sites for chemical reactions to occur, making unsaturated compounds more reactive than their saturated counterparts, which contain only single bonds. Common examples of unsaturated compounds include alkenes and alkynes, which contain double and triple bonds, respectively. By adding hydrogen atoms through a process known as hydrogenation, unsaturated compounds can be converted into saturated ones, which is useful in industries such as the food industry for the production of margarine from vegetable oils.

The overarching science governing these compounds is organic chemistry, the study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds.

It encompasses a vast array of substances, from simple molecules like methane (CH₄) to complex macromolecules like proteins and DNA. Organic chemistry plays a crucial role in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, food science, and materials science. This branch of chemistry uses several naming systems to keep track of the countless organic compounds, with the most prominent one being the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) naming system, providing a standardized way to name chemical compounds no matter how complex they are.

One of the many compounds that students encounter in organic chemistry is ethane-1,2-dioic acid, known commonly as oxalic acid. This molecule consists of two carbon atoms and is characterized by having two carboxylic acid groups (COOH) attached to it.

Oxalic acid is the simplest dioic acid and can be found in many vegetables, such as spinach and rhubarb. It can form strong hydrogen bonds which give it the ability to act as a chelating agent, bonding with metal ions and thereby affecting their solubility and reactivity. Ethane-1,2-dioic acid is utilized in cleaning products, bleaching agents, and even in the medical field for its chelating properties.