Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Alkyl Groups

Organic Chemistry

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Alkyl Groups

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4:35 minutes

Problem 40a,b

Textbook Question

Label each hydrogen atom in the following compounds as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°).
(a) CH₃CH₂CH(CH₃)₂
(b) (CH3)₃CCH₂CH₃

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of primary, secondary, and tertiary hydrogen atoms. Primary hydrogens are attached to a carbon that is bonded to only one other carbon. Secondary hydrogens are attached to a carbon bonded to two other carbons. Tertiary hydrogens are attached to a carbon bonded to three other carbons.

Step 2: Analyze compound a, CH3CH2CH(CH3)2. Start by identifying the types of carbon atoms present. The first carbon (CH3-) is bonded to one other carbon, making it a primary carbon. The second carbon (CH2-) is bonded to two other carbons, making it a secondary carbon. The third carbon (CH-) is bonded to three other carbons, making it a tertiary carbon.

Step 3: Label the hydrogen atoms in compound a. The hydrogens on the CH3 group are primary hydrogens. The hydrogens on the CH2 group are secondary hydrogens. The hydrogen on the CH group is a tertiary hydrogen.

Step 4: Analyze compound b, (CH3)3CCH2CH3. Identify the types of carbon atoms. The first carbon (C-) is bonded to three other carbons, making it a tertiary carbon. The second carbon (CH2-) is bonded to two other carbons, making it a secondary carbon. The third carbon (CH3-) is bonded to one other carbon, making it a primary carbon.

Step 5: Label the hydrogen atoms in compound b. The hydrogens on the CH3 groups attached to the tertiary carbon are primary hydrogens. The hydrogens on the CH2 group are secondary hydrogens. The hydrogens on the CH3 group at the end are primary hydrogens.

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Key Concepts

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

Hydrogen Atom Classification

In organic chemistry, hydrogen atoms are classified based on the carbon atom they are attached to. A primary (1°) hydrogen is attached to a primary carbon, which is bonded to only one other carbon. A secondary (2°) hydrogen is attached to a secondary carbon, bonded to two other carbons, and a tertiary (3°) hydrogen is attached to a tertiary carbon, bonded to three other carbons.

Carbon Atom Classification

Carbon atoms are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of other carbon atoms they are directly bonded to. A primary carbon is bonded to one other carbon, a secondary carbon to two, and a tertiary carbon to three. This classification helps in determining the type of hydrogen atoms attached to them.

Structural Formula Analysis

Analyzing the structural formula of a compound involves identifying the connectivity of atoms within the molecule. This includes determining which carbon atoms are primary, secondary, or tertiary, and subsequently classifying the hydrogen atoms attached to them. Understanding the structure is crucial for accurate classification and understanding of molecular properties.

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