Lesson 2 : Representation of Organic Molecules Objective : 1. differenciate between the empirical, molecular and structural formulae of organic compounds.

2. draw the full structural formula of a compound from its condensed structural formula and vice-versa. 3. derive the molecular formula of a compound from its empirical formula and relative molecular mass. Activity 1:

1. 2. 3.

Organic molecules can be represented in a number of different ways. The method of representation depends on the amount of information required. The empirical formula shows the simplest ratio of the atoms present in a compound. Ethene (CH2CH2) :CH2 (C:H=1:2) Ethanol (C2H6O) (C:H:O = 2:6:1) To determine the empirical formula of a compound. (Know the masses of the elements that is contains.

Empirical formula of the compound, X = COH3 4. 5. 6. Compound with different molecular formulae can have the same empirical formula. C2H4 CH2 C3H6 CH2 The molecular formula shows the actual number of each type of atom present in the compound. To determine the molecular formula, given its empirical formula and its relative molecular mass.

Activity 2: 1. The structural formula of a compound is more useful than the molecular formula as it also tells us how the atoms are arranged relative to each other. 2. The structural formula can be in the form of : a condensed structural formula a full structural formula a skeletal formula a three-dimensional formula 3. Full structural formula Condensed formula

4.

Condensed structural formula

Full structural formula

5.

The three-dimensional formula shows how the atoms of a molecule are arranged in space.

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Large molecules with long chains of carbon atoms might be tedious to draw in full. For this we can use a skeletal formula. each line represents a single covalent bond between two carbon atoms. A double line represents a double bond. The zig-zag line represents a straight chain structure. Each carbon atom must have four covalent bonds. In skeletal formula, hydrogen atoms connected directly to carbon atoms are not shown.