Structural Isomers of Pentane and Hexane: Formulas and Names
Structural Isomers of Pentane
The three isomers of pentane are:
- n-pentane: CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 (also called pentane)
- 2-methylbutane: CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH3
- 2,2-dimethylpropane: (CH3)3-C-CH3
Structural Isomers of Hexane
The five isomers of hexane are:
- n-hexane: CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 (also called hexane)
- 2-methylpentane: CH3-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH3
- 3-methylpentane: CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3
- 2,2-dimethylbutane: (CH3)3-C-CH2-CH3
- 2,3-dimethylbutane: CH3-CH(CH3)-C(CH3)-CH3
Systematic (IUPAC) Names
The systematic (IUPAC) names of the compounds represented in the structural isomers of pentane and hexane are:
- n-pentane
- 2-methylbutane
- 2,2-dimethylpropane
- n-hexane
- 2-methylpentane
- 3-methylpentane
- 2,2-dimethylbutane
- 2,3-dimethylbutane
In summary, the names of the structural isomers of pentane and hexane are based on the arrangement of carbon atoms in the main chain and the presence of additional methyl groups. The IUPAC names follow a standardized set of rules for naming organic compounds.