Structural Formula
Shows the actual bonding of atoms to each other.
A structural formula is a graphical representation of a molecule that illustrates the arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them. It shows the connectivity of the atoms in a compound and gives information about the positions of the atoms in 3D space.
The structural formula can be drawn using various methods such as Lewis structures, condensed structures, wedge and dash structures, and skeletal structures. The method used depends on the type of compound being represented and the level of detail desired.
For example, the structural formula of ethanol (C2H5OH) can be represented using different methods:
– Lewis structure: H H
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C – C
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H O-H
– Condensed structure: CH3CH2OH
– Skeletal structure: CH3CH2OH
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H
Each of these representations shows the same information about the connectivity of the atoms, but in increasing levels of detail. The Lewis structure gives the most information, while the condensed structure is easier to read and understand. The skeletal structure is the simplest representation, but still shows the basic connectivity and important functional groups.
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