Carbon and Hydrogen containing bonds are chemically inert; still, they form the backbone of many organic compounds. They provide a skeletal framework that can contain other heteroatoms or functional groups.
Such a carbon-hydrogen-containing chain of compounds together with other atoms or groups of atoms are conveniently represented using zig-zag lines, called the bond-line or skeletal formula.
Certain conventions are used to represent three-dimensional structures of organic molecules on paper. Using simple lines, solid (dark), and dashed wedges, a 3D image of a molecule can be perceived on two-dimensional paper.
The condensed structural formula provides the shortest way to understand the atoms and their numbers, their connection with respect to each other, and therefore, visualize the compounds' structure without elaborately drawing it, but by writing it in a single line.
So, if the elaborate structure of butanoic acid look like A, the condensed structural formula would look like B.
Learning Objective: To study the octet rule by G.N. Lewis, considering both ionic and covalent bonding, with examples.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Prerequisites:
In his landmark paper, 'The Atom and the Molecule,' G.N. Lewis attempted to describe linkages between the atoms to understand the nature of covalent bonds.
He used dots to represent an atom’s valence electrons and argued that the atoms share their valence electrons to form one, two, or three bonds until they attain a stable octet electron configuration. An exception is the Hydrogen atom that attains a duplet configuration.
Learning Objective: To study the limitations of the octet rule, with examples.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Prerequisites:
d-orbitals
Carbon is naturally inclined to form new bonds, and in this quest, it may break away from the old ones. The atom or group of atoms that leaves the carbon chain to make way for the new bond is called the leaving group(s).
Such a bond dissociation can happen from a saturated, unsaturated, or carbonyl carbon.
Learning Objective: To study with examples the hydrogen bond donors and acceptors.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Prerequisites: