5.1. DOUBLE BOND AND/OR RING EQUIVALENTS If the molecular formula of the compound is given, then the number of double bonds and/or ring equivalents (DBE) can be easily calculated. ‘The structure of the organic compound determined from the given spec- troscopic data can be, thus, confirmed. The number of DBE from various types of compounds with the given molecular formula can be determined as follows: Type A. If the compound is a hydrocarbon with general formula CH, then y DBE = + 41-2 +h3 Consider a compound with molecular formula, CH. The number of DBE init =6+1 -§ = 4, Some possible structures consistent with the given molecular formula are 0 CO ‘Three double bonds and one ring. (ii) CH, = CH — C= C— CH=CH, Two double bonds and one tr- ple bond. Note, A tipie bond may be regarded as equivalent to two double bonds. The presence of a triple bond (C=C, C==N etc) can be easily recognised from the infrared spectroscopic data ‘Type B. If the compound contains one or more divalent atoms (sulphur, oxygen etc.) in addition to the elements carbon and hydrogen, then the presence of divalent atom/atoms can be ignored while calculating DBE. Consider an oxygen containing compound, C,H,O.. For such a compound. Example 1. Find the double bond and/or ring equivalents for the com- pounds with molecular formulae (i) CsH40s (ii) ColHs0>. Solution. (‘) For the molecular formula C;H,0;, the number of DBE =341-5=0 ( The number of DBE for the molecular formula CgH,O, 6 =6+1- -3=4Type C. If the molecular formula of the compound contains some monovalent elements like halogen (Cl, Br, I etc.), then for calculating the number of DBE in its structural formula, each halogen atom may be con- sidered as a hydrogen atom. Consider the compound with molecular for- mula CH,X,.* The number of double bond and/or ring equivalents (DBE) for such a compound Consider a compound with molecular formula C,oH,Br. The number of DBE in the compound is equal to T+1 W+1-4=-4=7 ‘Type D. If the compound contains nitrogen atom or some trivalent phos- phorus atoms, then the number of trivalent aioms are subtracted from the number of hydrogen atoms present in the molecular formula. Consider a compound with general formula, C,H,N,. The number of DBE in its struc- tural formula can be calculated as yee 2 Example 2. Calculate the number of double bond and/or ring equivalents in the compounds with molecular formulae (i) CyzH 2) and (ii) CollsONa Solution. (2) For the compound with molecular formula C\sHy:No, xtl- (Gi) The number of DBE present in the structure with molecular formula, CoHeO.Nz In case, the phosphorus ator is pentavalent, then corresponding to each phosphorus atom, three hydrogen atoms are subtracted from the number of hydrogen atoms given in the molecular formula for calculating DBE. Note. The number of ritrogen atoms, if present in an organic compound must be od,** if the molecular weight of that compound is odd. ‘represents halogen atom. **An exception to this rule is the presence of the clement with fractional atomic weight in the compound.