What are the molecular formula, the structural formula, the condensed structural formula, and the abbreviated line formula for pentane?

1 Answer
Stefan V.
Feb 4, 2015

The name pentane can be used for any of the three structural isomers that share the molecular formula #C_5H_12#. In IUPAC nomenclature however the term pentane is used exclusively for n-pentane, the unbranched isomer of the group.

The molecular formula of pentane, or n-pentane, is #C_5H_12#.

The structural formula will be #CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2CH_3#.

The condensed structural formula will be #CH_2(CH_2)_3CH_3#.

The skeletal structure, also called bond-line notation, for n-pentane will be

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentane

Pentane's two other isomers are called isopentane (or 2-methylbutane)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentane

and neopentane (or 2,2-dimethylpropane)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentane

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