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 Thiols

GOB Chemistry

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Thiols

Previous problemNext problem

Problem 24

Textbook Question

The compound pictured here is a thiol. (a) Draw its line structure, and (b) draw the structure of the disulfide formed when it is treated with an oxidizing agent (yellow = S).
<IMAGE>

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure of a thiol. A thiol is an organic compound containing a sulfhydryl group (-SH) attached to a carbon atom. The line structure of a thiol is typically drawn by representing the carbon backbone as a zigzag line, with the -SH group explicitly shown at the appropriate position.

Step 2: Analyze the given thiol structure in the image. Identify the carbon backbone and locate the position of the -SH group. Translate this into a line structure by representing the carbon atoms as vertices and omitting hydrogen atoms bonded to carbons for simplicity.

Step 3: Understand the oxidation of thiols. When two thiol molecules are treated with an oxidizing agent, they form a disulfide bond (-S-S-). This reaction involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from the -SH groups, allowing the sulfur atoms to bond directly to each other.

Step 4: Draw the disulfide structure. Take two copies of the thiol line structure and connect the sulfur atoms from each -SH group with a single bond (-S-S-). Ensure that the rest of the molecule remains unchanged.

Step 5: Verify the disulfide structure. Check that the sulfur atoms are correctly bonded to each other and that the remaining parts of the molecule are consistent with the original thiol structure. Ensure the drawing adheres to standard conventions for line structures in organic chemistry.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Thiol Structure

A thiol is an organic compound that contains a sulfhydryl group (-SH) attached to a carbon atom. The general formula for thiols is R-SH, where R represents a hydrocarbon chain. Understanding the line structure of a thiol involves recognizing how carbon atoms are connected and where the -SH group is located within the molecule.

Disulfide Bond Formation

A disulfide bond is formed when two thiol groups undergo oxidation, resulting in the linkage of two sulfur atoms (S-S). This reaction typically occurs in the presence of an oxidizing agent, which facilitates the removal of hydrogen atoms from the thiol groups. Disulfide bonds are crucial in stabilizing the three-dimensional structures of proteins.

Oxidizing Agents

An oxidizing agent is a substance that facilitates oxidation by accepting electrons from another substance. In the context of thiols, common oxidizing agents include hydrogen peroxide and iodine, which can convert thiols into disulfides. Understanding the role of oxidizing agents is essential for predicting the outcome of chemical reactions involving thiols.

Watch next

Master Rules for Naming Thiols Concept 1 with a bite sized video explanation from Jules

Start learning