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

12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Naming Alkanes

GOB Chemistry

12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Naming Alkanes

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2:15 minutes

Problem 48b

Textbook Question

Give the skeletal structure and name of the straight-chain alkanes whose molecular formula is shown.
(b) C₁₀H₂₂

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the problem. The molecular formula C₁₀H₂₂ represents a straight-chain alkane. Alkanes are hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms, and their general formula is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

Step 2: Determine the number of carbon atoms in the chain. The subscript '10' in C₁₀H₂₂ indicates there are 10 carbon atoms in the molecule.

Step 3: Draw the skeletal structure. A straight-chain alkane means all 10 carbon atoms are connected in a single, unbranched chain. Represent each carbon atom as a vertex and connect them with single bonds. Hydrogen atoms are added to ensure each carbon has four bonds.

Step 4: Name the alkane. The name of a straight-chain alkane with 10 carbon atoms follows the IUPAC naming convention. The prefix 'dec-' is used for 10 carbons, and the suffix '-ane' indicates it is an alkane. Therefore, the name is 'decane'.

Step 5: Verify the molecular formula. Count the total number of hydrogen atoms in the skeletal structure to ensure it matches the formula C₁₀H₂₂. Each carbon atom should have enough hydrogens to satisfy the single-bond rule.

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Key Concepts

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

Alkanes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons consisting only of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms, connected by single bonds. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where 'n' is the number of carbon atoms. Alkanes are characterized by their straight-chain or branched structures and are known for being relatively unreactive compared to other hydrocarbons.

Molecular Formula

A molecular formula indicates the number and type of atoms in a molecule, providing essential information about its composition. For example, C₁₀H₂₂ specifies that the molecule contains ten carbon atoms and twenty-two hydrogen atoms. Understanding the molecular formula is crucial for determining the structure and properties of the compound.

Skeletal Structure

The skeletal structure, or line-angle structure, is a simplified representation of a molecule that shows the arrangement of atoms and bonds without explicitly drawing all the hydrogen atoms. In this representation, carbon atoms are implied at the ends and intersections of lines, making it easier to visualize the molecular framework. For C₁₀H₂₂, the skeletal structure would depict a straight-chain arrangement of ten carbon atoms.