Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Alcohols

GOB Chemistry

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Alcohols

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Problem 4a

Textbook Question

Draw the condensed structural formula, or line-angle formula if cyclic, for each of the following:
a. ethyl alcohol

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the molecular structure of ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, has the chemical formula C₂H₅OH. It consists of a two-carbon chain with a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to one of the carbons.

Step 2: Begin by drawing the condensed structural formula. In a condensed structural formula, the atoms are grouped together to show the connectivity. Ethyl alcohol can be represented as CH₃CH₂OH, where CH₃ represents the methyl group, CH₂ represents the methylene group, and OH represents the hydroxyl group.

Step 3: If a line-angle formula is required, focus on representing the molecule using lines to depict bonds and vertices to represent carbon atoms. For ethyl alcohol, draw a zigzag line with two vertices (representing the two carbons) and attach an -OH group to the second vertex.

Step 4: Ensure that the hydrogen atoms are implied in the line-angle formula. In this representation, hydrogens bonded to carbons are not explicitly shown, but their presence is understood based on the number of bonds each carbon can form (carbon forms four bonds).

Step 5: Double-check your drawing to ensure it accurately represents ethyl alcohol, whether using the condensed structural formula (CH₃CH₂OH) or the line-angle formula. Verify that the hydroxyl group (-OH) is correctly attached to the second carbon.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Condensed Structural Formula

A condensed structural formula is a way of representing a chemical compound that shows the arrangement of atoms and the connectivity between them without depicting all the bonds explicitly. In this format, groups of atoms are often grouped together to simplify the representation, making it easier to visualize the molecular structure. For example, ethyl alcohol can be represented as C2H5OH, indicating the presence of an alcohol functional group.

Line-Angle Formula

The line-angle formula, also known as the skeletal formula, is a shorthand representation of organic molecules where vertices represent carbon atoms and lines represent bonds. This method is particularly useful for cyclic compounds and larger molecules, as it reduces clutter by omitting hydrogen atoms attached to carbons. For ethyl alcohol, the line-angle formula would depict the carbon backbone and the hydroxyl group in a clear, simplified manner.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the case of ethyl alcohol, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is the functional group that defines it as an alcohol. Understanding functional groups is essential for predicting the behavior and reactivity of organic compounds, as they influence properties such as solubility and boiling point.

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