0
Why do chemists use structural formulas for organic compounds rather then molecular formulas such as C5H12?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Starting with C4H10, hydrocarbons can have multiple configurations, called isomers, for the same formula. These isomers are regarded as different compounds and have different physical and chemical properties.
In such cases simply using the chemical formula would be ambiguous.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When are structural formulas used?
Structural formulas are used primarily for organic compounds for which molecular formulas correspond to more than one isomer, or for chemical discussions in which the shapes of molecules are important, such as crystallography.
Describe the differences between molecular formulas and structural formulas for molecular compounds?
A molecular formula lists the numbers of the atoms of a specific element in a compound. A structural formula is a picture of how the atoms in a specific molecule are connected, with each atom represented by its chemical symbol. For example, oxygen's molecular formula is O2. Its structural formula is O-O.
Does charges must be balanced when writing formulas for molecular compounds?
false
Why do geometrical isomers differ in their physical and chemical properties?
Isomers differ in their structural formulas. For example, the chemical formula for the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and galactose is C6H12O6, but their structural formulas are different, which gives them different properties. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are isomers of one another.
Why some compound do not have molecular formula?
Once you get into the realm of compounds you are really looking at two types---ionic and molecular. Molecular compounds are made up of all the same type of molecule, and those molecules consist of a series of atoms covalently bonded together. The molecular formula of a molecular compound gives the number of each type of atom that makes up the molecule. Ionic compounds are different---there are no definable molecules present, just lattices of alternating positive and negative ions (charged atoms). So unlike molecular compounds there is no definable subunit in an ionic compound. Instead ionic compounds are represented by the simplest ratio of ions in the compound. For instance, in table salt there is one sodium ion per chlorine ion so the formula is NaCl. that does not mean there are little NaCl molecules making up the compound, just that the ratio of those two ions is 1:1. In calcium chloride there are two chloride ions for every calcium ion, so its formula is CaCl2. So the simple answe to the question is that molecular formulas are not used for ionic compounds because they are not comprised of molecules. That does not keep people (even chemists) from referring to the formulas of ionic compounds as "molecular formulas" but it is technically a misnomer. Simply calling them "formulas" or "ionic formulas" would be more appropriate.
Two compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas are?
Two compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas are isomers of each other.
When are structural formulas used?
Structural formulas are used primarily for organic compounds for which molecular formulas correspond to more than one isomer, or for chemical discussions in which the shapes of molecules are important, such as crystallography.
What is an organic compound with identical molecular formulas that differ in the order the atoms are connected?
Organic compounds that have identical molecular formulas but different structural formulas are called isomers.
Describe the differences between molecular formulas and structural formulas for molecular compounds?
A molecular formula lists the numbers of the atoms of a specific element in a compound. A structural formula is a picture of how the atoms in a specific molecule are connected, with each atom represented by its chemical symbol. For example, oxygen's molecular formula is O2. Its structural formula is O-O.
What are the molecular and structural formulas of water?
H20
How are organic compounds classified if they have with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas?
they are structual isomers. In alenes they will be e or z isomers ( cis trans0
Which compounds are simply chemical compounds that contain carbon in their molecular formulas?
Organic Compounds.
What do molecular formulas and structural formulas have in common?
Molecular formulas contain no information about the arrangement of atoms. Because of this, one molecular formula can describe a number of different chemical structures. A structural formula is used to indicate not only the number of atoms, but also their arrangement in space.
Does charges must be balanced when writing formulas for molecular compounds?
false
Why do geometrical isomers differ in their physical and chemical properties?
Isomers differ in their structural formulas. For example, the chemical formula for the simple sugars glucose, fructose, and galactose is C6H12O6, but their structural formulas are different, which gives them different properties. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are isomers of one another.
Organic compounds whose structural formulas contain the benzene ring?
aromatic compound
What does a structural formula depict that a molecular formula does not?
Structural formulas show a representation of the molecular structure, while chemical formulas do not. This is especially important when multiple compounds have the same chemical formula, but a different molecular structure.
