Cyclohexane, C6H12, is an important starting material used in the industrial synthesis of nylon. Each carbon has four covalent bonds, two to hydrogen and two to other carbons. Draw the structural formula of cyclohexane.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula of cyclohexane, which is C6H12. This indicates that there are six carbon atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms in each molecule of cyclohexane.
2. Recognize that cyclohexane is a cyclic compound, meaning the carbon atoms form a ring. Each carbon in the ring is bonded to two other carbon atoms.
3. Understand that each carbon atom in cyclohexane forms four covalent bonds: two with adjacent carbon atoms and two with hydrogen atoms.
4. Arrange the six carbon atoms in a hexagonal ring structure. Each carbon atom should be connected to two other carbon atoms in the ring.
5. Attach two hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom, ensuring that each carbon forms a total of four bonds (two with carbons and two with hydrogens). This completes the structural formula of cyclohexane.

Key Concepts

Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding occurs when two atoms share pairs of electrons, allowing them to achieve a full outer shell and greater stability. In cyclohexane, each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds: two with hydrogen atoms and two with neighboring carbon atoms, creating a stable ring structure.

Structural Formula

A structural formula represents the arrangement of atoms within a molecule, showing how they are connected. For cyclohexane, the structural formula illustrates the six carbon atoms arranged in a ring, with each carbon bonded to two hydrogen atoms, emphasizing the molecule's cyclic nature.

Cycloalkanes

Cycloalkanes are a class of hydrocarbons characterized by carbon atoms arranged in a ring structure, with single bonds between them. Cyclohexane, as a cycloalkane, has six carbon atoms and is notable for its stable conformation, which is crucial in various chemical reactions, including the synthesis of nylon.