Chapter 3: Problem 3
Draw the structure of a compound fitting each description: a. an aldehyde with molecular formula C\(_4\)H\(_8\)O b. a ketone with molecular formula C\(_4\)H\(_8\)O c. a carboxylic acid with molecular formula C\(_4\)H\(_8\)O\(_2\) d. an ester with molecular formula C\(_4\)H\(_8\)O\(_2\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. Butanal, b. Butan-2-one, c. Butanoic acid, d. Ethyl acetate.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Functional Group for Aldehyde
Aldehydes have the functional group -CHO. Given that the molecular formula is \( \text{C}_4\text{H}_8\text{O} \), the aldehyde should consist of an alkyl chain with three carbons and an aldehyde group.
02
Draw the Structure for Aldehyde
The aldehyde can be represented as butanal: \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CHO} \).
03
Identify the Functional Group for Ketone
Ketones have the functional group -C(=O)- located between two carbon atoms. With a molecular formula \( \text{C}_4\text{H}_8\text{O} \), the ketone should have two methyl groups on either side of the ketone group.
04
Draw the Structure for Ketone
The ketone can be represented as butan-2-one: \( \text{CH}_3\text{COCH}_2\text{CH}_3 \).
05
Identify the Functional Group for Carboxylic Acid
Carboxylic acids have the functional group -COOH. The molecular formula given is \( \text{C}_4\text{H}_8\text{O}_2 \), so it must be a four-carbon acid.
06
Draw the Structure for Carboxylic Acid
The carboxylic acid can be represented as butanoic acid: \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \).
07
Identify the Functional Group for Ester
Esters have the functional group -COO-. The given formula is \( \text{C}_4\text{H}_8\text{O}_2 \), indicating a possible four-carbon chain with an ester group.
08
Draw the Structure for Ester
The ester can be represented as ethyl acetate: \( \text{CH}_3\text{COOCH}_2\text{CH}_3 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Aldehydes
Aldehydes are a group of organic compounds known for containing the -CHO functional group. This group is always located at the end of a carbon chain. In an aldehyde, a carbon atom is double-bonded to an oxygen atom (
C=O), also known as a carbonyl group, and single-bonded to a hydrogen atom. The general structure can be represented as
RCHO, where
R denotes the carbon chain attached to the carbonyl group.
A common example from this exercise is butanal, with the formula CH₃CH₂CH₂CHO. Butanal has four carbon atoms, and the aldehyde group is at the end of the chain. This structure matches the molecular formula C₄H₈O.
A common example from this exercise is butanal, with the formula CH₃CH₂CH₂CHO. Butanal has four carbon atoms, and the aldehyde group is at the end of the chain. This structure matches the molecular formula C₄H₈O.
- Aldehydes have distinctive smells, often pleasant.
- They are primarily used in the cosmetic and fragrance industries.
- Aldehydes undergo oxidation reactions to form carboxylic acids.
Ketones
Ketones are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group like aldehydes, but crucially, this group is positioned between two carbon atoms, meaning they cannot be at the end of a carbon chain. Their general formula is RC(=O)R', where R and R' are alkyl or aryl groups.
In the context of the exercise, butan-2-one is an example of a ketone with a molecular formula C₄H₈O. Here, the carbonyl group is situated between the second and third carbon atoms, specifically CH₃COCH₂CH₃.
In the context of the exercise, butan-2-one is an example of a ketone with a molecular formula C₄H₈O. Here, the carbonyl group is situated between the second and third carbon atoms, specifically CH₃COCH₂CH₃.
- Ketones are often used as solvents in industrial applications.
- They are found in many sugars and play a key role in energy production in the body.
- Unlike aldehydes, ketones are usually resistant to further oxidation under mild conditions.
Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids are organic compounds containing a -COOH functional group. They are characterized by a carbon atom bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH) and double-bonded to an oxygen atom (O), forming a carbonyl group.
For instance, butanoic acid in this exercise, has a molecular formula of C₄H₈O₂, with its structure represented as CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH. This highlights the four-carbon chain terminating with the carboxyl group.
For instance, butanoic acid in this exercise, has a molecular formula of C₄H₈O₂, with its structure represented as CH₃CH₂CH₂COOH. This highlights the four-carbon chain terminating with the carboxyl group.
- Carboxylic acids have a sour taste and are responsible for the acidic properties of vinegar (acetic acid).
- They are polar and capable of hydrogen bonding, leading to high boiling points relative to their molecular weight.
- They are essential precursors for synthesizing other compounds such as esters and amides.
Esters
Esters are derived from carboxylic acids and alcohols through a condensation reaction. They contain the -COO- functional group, where a carbon is double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to another oxygen, which is further connected to a carbon chain.
The structure given in the exercise is ethyl acetate, with the formula CH₃COOCH₂CH₃. This features the ester functional group linking two carbon chains, resulting in the overall molecular formula C₄H₈O₂.
The structure given in the exercise is ethyl acetate, with the formula CH₃COOCH₂CH₃. This features the ester functional group linking two carbon chains, resulting in the overall molecular formula C₄H₈O₂.
- Esters are often found in perfumes and flavorings due to their sweet and fruity odors.
- Their chemical stability makes them suitable for use as solvents in paints and coatings.
- Esters can be hydrolyzed back to carboxylic acids and alcohols in a process known as saponification, especially in the presence of a strong base.