Write the condensed structure for the straight-chain alkanes shown:


(c) hexane

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of carbon atoms in hexane, which is 6.
2. Recognize that hexane is a straight-chain alkane, meaning all carbon atoms are connected in a single continuous chain.
3. Recall that the general formula for alkanes is C_nH_{2n+2}, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
4. Apply the formula to hexane: C_6H_{2(6)+2} = C_6H_{14}.
5. Write the condensed structural formula by arranging the carbon and hydrogen atoms: CH_3(CH_2)_4CH_3.

Key Concepts

Alkanes

Alkanes are a class of hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms. Alkanes are saturated compounds, meaning they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible for a given number of carbon atoms, making them relatively unreactive compared to other hydrocarbon classes.

Straight-chain Alkanes

Straight-chain alkanes are alkanes in which the carbon atoms are arranged in a linear sequence without any branching. This structure affects their physical properties, such as boiling and melting points, which generally increase with the length of the carbon chain. Hexane, for example, is a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms, represented as C6H14.

Condensed Structural Formula

The condensed structural formula is a way of representing the structure of a molecule that shows the arrangement of atoms without depicting all the bonds explicitly. For hexane, the condensed formula is often written as CH3(CH2)4CH3, indicating that there are five CH2 groups between the terminal CH3 groups. This notation simplifies the representation while conveying essential structural information.