Practice Problem: Draw 6 Constitutional Isomers for the Molecular Formula C3H8O2

According to the degree of unsaturation formula, C3H8O2 has no double bonds or rings.

We are also obeying the normal rules of valence, (and this chart) there will be:

  • 1 bond to each H
  • 4 bonds to each C
  • 2 bonds to each O

Here are 8 isomers I could think of. Can you find more?

Bond-line formulas for 8 constitutional isomers of C3H8O2

 

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Practice Problem: Draw 4 non-cyclic constitutional isomers for the molecular formula C4H8

According to the degree of unsaturation formula, the formula C4H8 has 1 double bond or ring.

The problem states that there cannot be any rings (non-cyclic constitutional isomers), so we know there must be 1 double bond in this 4-carbon molecule.

Here are the bond-line formulas of the 4 non-cyclic constitutional isomers of C4H8:

Clockwise from top left: trans-2-butene, but-1-ene, 2-methylpropene, cis-2-butene
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Fundamentals: Degree of Unsaturation

Saturation can me many things. In organic chemistry, a molecule is saturated when it has the maximum number of hydrogens attached.

A molecule becomes unsaturated due to double bonds, triple bonds, and rings.

Saturated molecule (left) and unsaturated molecules (middle and right)

Given a molecular formula, you can calculate the degrees of unsaturation:

  • C = # of carbons
  • N = # of nitrogens
  • X = # of halogens
  • H = # of hydrogen

Each double bond or ring increases the molecule’s degree of unsaturation by 1. A triple bond increases the degree of unsaturation by 2.

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