Question

Using their marshmallows, raisins, and toothpicks, construct these hydrocarbons and take pictures of each of the following molecular structures. Please include the pictures in your submission.

ethane

Butyne (two types)

Hexane

Heptene (three types)

1.) Why do organic chemists say that there are almost an infinite number of different hydrocarbons.

2.) Imagine we linked up all of the marshmallow carbons into one long chain with single bonds. Would that be a flimsy or strong structure? Why?

3.) How could we make that structure really strong without removing any of the carbons?

4.) Hydrocarbons with up to 18 carbons attached together are usually liquid, but hydrocarbons with more than 18 carbons are usually solid. Why do you think that is?

Answer 1

4. you can draw this structure with sticks.1. Carbon can show the property of catenataion. It can form strong four covalent bond, to itself and to hydrogen too as they have similar electronegativity. It can also form multiple bonds with itself giving rigid and strong structures. It also forms rings and other complex structures, giving large number of hydrocarbons.

2. We will obtain flimsy structures because single bonds are weak and can break easily.

3. The structure could be made strong by multiple bonds I.e. by introducing m many double and triple bonds .

4. Upto 18 carbons the hydrocarbon are attached together by less mutiple bonds. Hence they are less rigid. Large hydrocarbon contains double and triple bonds which help them in stabilising the structure and being solid.