b. Write a structural formula for 1-pentanol.

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Identify the parent chain: 1-pentanol is an alcohol with a five-carbon chain, so the parent chain is pentane.

Determine the functional group: The '-ol' suffix indicates an alcohol, which means there is a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the carbon chain.

Locate the position of the hydroxyl group: The '1-' prefix indicates that the hydroxyl group is attached to the first carbon of the pentane chain.

Draw the carbon chain: Start by drawing a straight chain of five carbon atoms, each connected by single bonds.

Add the hydroxyl group: Attach the hydroxyl group (-OH) to the first carbon atom in the chain, and complete the structure by adding hydrogen atoms to satisfy the valency of each carbon atom.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Structural Formula

A structural formula represents the arrangement of atoms within a molecule, showing how the atoms are bonded to each other. It provides insight into the molecular structure, including the connectivity of atoms and the presence of functional groups. In organic chemistry, structural formulas can be drawn in various ways, such as condensed or expanded forms, to convey different levels of detail.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the case of 1-pentanol, the functional group is the hydroxyl group (-OH), which classifies it as an alcohol. Understanding functional groups is essential for predicting the behavior and reactivity of organic compounds.

Alkanols

Alkanols, or alcohols, are a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a saturated carbon chain. 1-Pentanol is a straight-chain alkanol with five carbon atoms, making it a primary alcohol. The properties and reactivity of alkanols are influenced by the length of the carbon chain and the position of the hydroxyl group.

Related Practice

Textbook Question

a. What elements are contained in hydrocarbons?

Textbook Question

d. What is the empirical formula for octane?

Textbook Question

a. What functional group characterizes an alcohol?

Textbook Question

All the structures shown here have the molecular formula C₈H₁₈. Which structures are the same molecule? (Hint: One way to answer this question is to determine the chemical name for each structure.)