Textbook Question
Which of the following contains a coordinate covalent bond? (Hint: How many covalent bonds would you expect the central atom (underlined/bold) to form?)
a. PbCl2
b. Cu(NH3)42+
c. NH4+
Ch.4 Molecular Compounds
McMurry8th EditionFundamentals of GOBISBN: 9780134015187
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Matter and Measurements27
- Ch.2 Atoms and the Periodic Table20
- Ch.3 Ionic Compounds8
- Ch.4 Molecular Compounds23
- Ch.5 Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions12
- Ch.6 Chemical Reactions: Mole and Mass Relationships28
- Ch.7 Chemical Reactions: Energy, Rate and Equilibrium64
- Ch.8 Gases, Liquids and Solids24
- Ch.9 Solutions52
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases25
- Ch.11 Nuclear Chemistry22
- Ch.12 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Alkanes57
- Ch.13 Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds47
- Ch.14 Some Compounds with Oxygen, Sulfur, or a Halogen50
- Ch.15 Aldehydes and Ketones45
- Ch.16 Amines42
- Ch.17 Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives57
- Ch.18 Amino Acids and Proteins82
- Ch.19 Enzymes and Vitamins63
- Ch.20 Carbohydrates44
- Ch.21 The Generation of Biochemical Energy65
- Ch.22 Carbohydrate Metabolism45
- Ch.23 Lipids42
- Ch.24 Lipid Metabolism33
- Ch.25 Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism24
- Ch.26 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis45
Chapter 4, Problem 44b
Distinguish between the following:
b. A structural formula and a condensed structure
Verified step by step guidance1
A structural formula is a detailed representation of a molecule that shows the arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them. It explicitly displays all the bonds (single, double, or triple) and the connectivity of atoms in the molecule. For example, in a structural formula, each hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom is shown individually.
A condensed structure, on the other hand, is a simplified way of representing a molecule. It omits some or all of the bonds and groups atoms together to save space. For example, instead of showing each hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom, it might group them as CH3 or CH2.
To distinguish between the two, consider the level of detail: the structural formula provides a complete visual of the molecule's bonding, while the condensed structure provides a shorthand notation that is quicker to write but less detailed.
When writing a structural formula, you would explicitly draw all the bonds between atoms, such as H-C-H for a single carbon atom bonded to two hydrogens. In a condensed structure, you might write CH2 to represent the same group.
Both representations are useful in different contexts: structural formulas are helpful for understanding the molecule's geometry and bonding, while condensed structures are more practical for quickly conveying molecular information in text or compact formats.
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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 a visual depiction of the molecular structure, including the types of bonds (single, double, or triple) and the connectivity between atoms. This format is essential for understanding the geometry and reactivity of the molecule.
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Structural Formula Concept 2
Condensed Structure
A condensed structure is a simplified representation of a molecule that omits some of the bonds and shows the connectivity of atoms in a more compact form. In this format, groups of atoms are often grouped together, and hydrogen atoms attached to carbons are usually not explicitly shown. This makes it easier to read and write complex organic molecules quickly.
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Comparison of Structural and Condensed Structures
The key difference between structural formulas and condensed structures lies in the level of detail provided. Structural formulas give a complete picture of the molecular architecture, while condensed structures prioritize brevity and simplicity. Understanding both formats is crucial for chemists, as they serve different purposes in conveying molecular information.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Write electron-dot symbols to show the number of covalent bonds and the lone pairs of electrons in the molecules that are formed by reactions between the atoms in Problem 4.34.
a. Aluminum and bromine
b. Carbon and fluorine
c. Cesium and iodine
d. Zinc and fluorine
e. Lithium and chlorine
Textbook Question
A compound of gallium with chlorine has a melting point of 77°C and a boiling point of 201°C. Is the compound ionic or covalent? What is a likely formula?
Textbook Question
Distinguish between the following:
c. A lone pair and a shared pair of electrons
Textbook Question
Consider the following possible structural formulas for C3H6O2. If a structure is not reasonable, explain what changes could be made to convert it to a reasonable structure.
a.
Textbook Question
Expand the following condensed structures into the correct structural formulas.
c. CH3CH2OCH2Cl