How many compounds with the formula C₇H₁₆ (heptanes)contain a single 3° carbon atom?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To have a single tertiary (3°) carbon atom in a heptane (a seven-carbon chain), the branching must be such that one carbon is directly connected to three other carbons. The simplest way to achieve this is to have a butyl group (four carbons in a row) with a methyl group (one carbon) branching off the second carbon. This configuration gives us the tertiary carbon. There are four distinct ways to arrange such branching on a heptane chain to ensure only one tertiary carbon atom is present: 1. A methyl group on the second carbon of a pentyl group.2. A methyl group on the third carbon of a pentyl group.3. A methyl group on the second carbon of a hexyl group, with the hexyl group itself having a branch.4. A more complex branching that still results in only one tertiary carbon.Each arrangement represents a unique structure, leading to the conclusion that there are four possible compounds.

How Many Compounds with the Formula C7H16 (Heptanes)contain a Single

How Many Compounds with the Formula C₇H₁₆ (Heptanes)contain a Single