Draw a skeletal structure for each of the compounds.
a. CH₃CHO
b. CH₃OCH₃

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the skeletal structure representation. Skeletal structures simplify organic molecules by representing carbon atoms as vertices and omitting hydrogen atoms bonded to carbons. Bonds between atoms are shown as lines.
2. Step 2: For compound (a) CH3CHO, identify the functional groups. CH3 represents a methyl group, and CHO represents an aldehyde group. The aldehyde group contains a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydrogen atom.
3. Step 3: Draw the skeletal structure for CH3CHO. Start with the methyl group (CH3) as a vertex, then connect it to a carbon atom that is part of the aldehyde group. Represent the aldehyde group with a double bond to oxygen and a single bond to hydrogen.
4. Step 4: For compound (b) CH3OCH3, identify the functional groups. CH3 represents methyl groups, and O represents an oxygen atom. This compound is an ether, where oxygen is bonded to two methyl groups.
5. Step 5: Draw the skeletal structure for CH3OCH3. Represent the oxygen atom as a vertex, and connect it to two methyl groups (CH3) on either side. Ensure the bonds are clearly shown to indicate the ether functional group.

Key Concepts

Skeletal Structures

Skeletal structures are simplified representations of organic molecules that depict the arrangement of atoms and bonds without showing all the hydrogen atoms explicitly. In these diagrams, carbon atoms are represented by vertices or ends of lines, while functional groups and heteroatoms (like oxygen) are shown as symbols. This method allows chemists to visualize complex molecules more easily and focus on the connectivity of the atoms.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. For example, in the compound CH3CHO (acetaldehyde), the carbonyl group (C=O) is the functional group that defines its reactivity. Recognizing functional groups is essential for predicting the behavior of organic compounds in chemical reactions.

Molecular Formulas

Molecular formulas provide a way to represent the composition of a compound by indicating the number and type of atoms present. For instance, CH3CHO indicates that the molecule contains two carbon atoms, four hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Understanding molecular formulas is crucial for constructing skeletal structures, as they inform the arrangement and connectivity of atoms in the molecule.