Which of the following is the correct condensed structural formula for difluoropropane?

• A. $\mathrm{CH}3\mathrm{CH}F\mathrm{CH}2F$
• B. $\mathrm{CH}{2}_F\mathrm{CH}2\mathrm{CH}3$
• C. $\mathrm{CH}3\mathrm{CHF}\mathrm{CH}2F$
• D. $\mathrm{CH}3\mathrm{CHF}\mathrm{CHF}2$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the molecular structure of propane, which is a three-carbon alkane with the formula \(\mathrm{CH_3-CH_2-CH_3}\). Each carbon is bonded to enough hydrogens to satisfy four bonds total.
2. Step 2: Recognize that difluoropropane means two fluorine atoms are substituted for two hydrogens on the propane chain. The fluorines can be attached to different carbons, leading to isomers.
3. Step 3: Identify possible positions for the two fluorine atoms on the propane chain. They can be on the first and second carbons, first and third carbons, or second and third carbons.
4. Step 4: Write the condensed structural formulas by replacing the appropriate hydrogens with fluorine atoms. For example, if fluorines are on the first and second carbons, the formula would be \(\mathrm{CH_2F-CHF-CH_3}\).
5. Step 5: Compare the given options with the possible condensed formulas you wrote, ensuring the number of carbons, hydrogens, and fluorines matches difluoropropane and that the fluorines are correctly placed.