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Chapter 1: Problem 7

Why can't an organic molecule have the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{7} ?\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The formula \\(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{7}\\) is impossible for an organic molecule because it cannot fit the structure of alkanes or alkenes, being one hydrogen atom more than possible.

Step by step solution

01

Understand organic molecule composition

Organic molecules are primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, and others sometimes present. The simplest class of organic molecules is hydrocarbons, consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
02

Apply the general formula for saturated hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons, or alkanes, follow the general formula \(\mathrm{C}_{n}\mathrm{H}_{2n+2}\). For example, ethane, the simplest alkane with two carbon atoms, follows this formula: \(n = 2\), thus \(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{6}\).
03

Compare \\(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{7}\\) with the alkane formula

The given formula \(\mathrm{C}_{2}\mathrm{H}_{7}\) has one more hydrogen atom than the formula allows for saturated hydrocarbons (\

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Hydrocarbons
In the study of organic chemistry, hydrocarbons are a fundamental concept. These molecules are made up entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Their simplicity does not make them any less important; in fact, they serve as the foundation for understanding more complex organic molecules. Hydrocarbons are vital because they form the basis of many fuels and are present in many materials including plastics.
  • Hydrocarbons can be broadly categorized into aliphatic, aromatic, and alicyclic compounds.
  • The building blocks of hydrocarbons are the carbon atoms, which can bond with up to four other atoms. This capacity allows carbon to form a vast array of structures.
  • Hydrocarbons are non-polar, meaning they typically don't mix well with water.
Understanding hydrocarbons is essential as they represent a key component of organic molecules, forming the skeletal structure upon which other functional groups are attached.
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Saturated hydrocarbons, also widely known as alkanes, are a type of hydrocarbon where each carbon atom is bonded to as many hydrogen atoms as possible. They have single bonds between all carbon atoms, which not only makes them saturated but also gives them specific chemical properties.
  • The general formula for saturated hydrocarbons or alkanes is \( \mathrm{C}_n\mathrm{H}_{2n+2} \). This formula indicates that for any number \( n \) of carbon atoms, there will be \( 2n+2 \) hydrogen atoms.
  • The single carbon-carbon bonds make these compounds less reactive compared to their unsaturated counterparts, which contain double or triple bonds.
  • Examples of saturated hydrocarbons include methane (\( \mathrm{CH}_4 \)), ethane (\( \mathrm{C}_2\mathrm{H}_6 \)), and propane (\( \mathrm{C}_3\mathrm{H}_8 \)).
The concept of saturation implies that no additional hydrogen atoms can be added to the molecule without breaking the existing carbon-carbon bond structure. This characteristic gives them their stability and a relatively low reactivity.
Alkanes
Alkanes are the simplest form of hydrocarbons and they are also called paraffins. As mentioned earlier, they fall under the category of saturated hydrocarbons. Alkanes are prevalent due to their relatively straightforward chains of carbon atoms bonded by single bonds.
  • They can exist as straight chains or be branched, leading to structural isomers which have the same chemical formula but different structures.
  • Alkanes are named using the IUPAC nomenclature system, which provides a systematic way of identifying the number of carbon atoms in the longest chain or the main chain.
  • The combustion of alkanes is a significant source of energy. They burn in the presence of excess oxygen to give carbon dioxide, water, and heat.
Alkanes are crucial in the field of organic chemistry, and they serve as a reference point for understanding the reactivity and properties of more complex organic molecules. Because of their abundance and versatility, alkanes play a central role in industries ranging from energy to the production of everyday materials.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Propose skeletal structures for compounds that satisfy the following molecular formulas. There is more than one possibility in each case. (a) \(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{12}\) (b) \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{7} \mathrm{~N}\) (c) \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}\) (d) \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{9} \mathrm{Cl}\)

Oxaloacetic acid, an important intermediate in food metabolism, has the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) and contains three \(\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{O}\) bonds and two \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}\) bonds. Propose two possible structures.

Draw a line-bond structure for vinyl chloride, \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{Cl}\), the starting material from which PVC [poly(vinyl chloride)] plastic is made.

Draw structures for the following molecules, showing lone pairs: (a) Acrylonitrile, \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{~N}\), which contains a carbon-carbon double bond and a carbon-nitrogen triple bond (b) Ethyl methyl ether, \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{O}\), which contains an oxygen atom bonded to two carbons (c) Butane, \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{10}\), which contains a chain of four carbon atoms (d) Cyclohexene, \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{10}\), which contains a ring of six carbon atoms and one carbon-carbon double bond

What are likely formulas for the following substances? (a) \(\mathrm{CH}_{?} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{SH}_{?}\) (c) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{NH}\) ?
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