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Ch.4 Introduction to Organic Compounds
Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksFrost 4th EditionCh.4 Introduction to Organic CompoundsProblem 48b
Chapter 1, Problem 48b

Give the skeletal structure and name of the straight-chain alkanes whose molecular formula is shown.
(b) C10H22

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The molecular formula C₁₀H₂₂ represents a straight-chain alkane. Alkanes are hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms, and their general formula is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.
Step 2: Determine the number of carbon atoms in the chain. The subscript '10' in C₁₀H₂₂ indicates there are 10 carbon atoms in the molecule.
Step 3: Draw the skeletal structure. A straight-chain alkane means all 10 carbon atoms are connected in a single, unbranched chain. Represent each carbon atom as a vertex and connect them with single bonds. Hydrogen atoms are added to ensure each carbon has four bonds.
Step 4: Name the alkane. The name of a straight-chain alkane with 10 carbon atoms follows the IUPAC naming convention. The prefix 'dec-' is used for 10 carbons, and the suffix '-ane' indicates it is an alkane. Therefore, the name is 'decane'.
Step 5: Verify the molecular formula. Count the total number of hydrogen atoms in the skeletal structure to ensure it matches the formula C₁₀H₂₂. Each carbon atom should have enough hydrogens to satisfy the single-bond rule.

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Key Concepts

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

Alkanes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons consisting only of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms, connected by single bonds. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where 'n' is the number of carbon atoms. Alkanes are characterized by their straight-chain or branched structures and are known for being relatively unreactive compared to other hydrocarbons.
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Molecular Formula

A molecular formula indicates the number and type of atoms in a molecule, providing essential information about its composition. For example, C₁₀H₂₂ specifies that the molecule contains ten carbon atoms and twenty-two hydrogen atoms. Understanding the molecular formula is crucial for determining the structure and properties of the compound.
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Skeletal Structure

The skeletal structure, or line-angle structure, is a simplified representation of a molecule that shows the arrangement of atoms and bonds without explicitly drawing all the hydrogen atoms. In this representation, carbon atoms are implied at the ends and intersections of lines, making it easier to visualize the molecular framework. For C₁₀H₂₂, the skeletal structure would depict a straight-chain arrangement of ten carbon atoms.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Lewis structures, condensed structural formulas, and skeletal structures are used to represent the structure of an organic compound. Each of the following compounds is shown in one of these representations. Convert each compound into the other two structural representations not shown.

(c)

Textbook Question

Alkanes are also referred to as saturated hydrocarbons. Explain the meaning of the term hydrocarbon. Why are alkanes called saturated hydrocarbons?

Textbook Question

Give the skeletal structure and name of the straight-chain alkanes whose molecular formula is shown.

(a) C3H8

Textbook Question

Give the structure and name of the cycloalkanes described.

(a) A compound whose molecular formula is C6H12 and contains a five-membered ring

Textbook Question

Give the structure and name of the cycloalkanes described.

(a) A compound whose molecular formula is C7H14 and contains a six-membered ring

Textbook Question

Draw the condensed structural formula and skeletal structure of the saturated fatty acid with 16 carbon atoms. What is the name of this fatty acid?