What is the molecular formula of 2,3-dimethylbutane?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the molecular formula of 2,3-dimethylbutane?
C7H16
C6H14
C8H18
C5H12
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the molecular formula of 2,3-dimethylbutane?
Step 1: Identify the main chain of the molecule. In 2,3-dimethylbutane, the main chain is 'butane', which has 4 carbon atoms.
Step 2: Count the number of carbon atoms in the side groups. '2,3-dimethyl' means there are two methyl groups (CH3) attached to the second and third carbon of the butane chain.
Step 3: Add the carbon atoms together. The main chain has 4 carbons, and the two methyl groups add 2 more carbons (1 from each methyl group). So, 4 + 2 = 6 carbon atoms.
Step 4: Count the hydrogen atoms. Each carbon in the main chain and the methyl groups will be bonded to enough hydrogen atoms to make 4 bonds total. The butane chain contributes 10 hydrogen atoms, and each methyl group contributes 3 hydrogen atoms, totaling 10 + 6 = 16 hydrogen atoms.
Step 5: Write the molecular formula. Combine the total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms to get C7H16.