Depto. Química Orgánica

Carbon Structures
Without End

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15/07/2017
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Carbon can form single, double and triple bonds with itself and with other elements of the periodic system.
Image Ethane
 The single bonds mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure: four electron densities ("balloons") around carbon.
Image Ethene
 The structure of a double bond is two-dimensional planar trigonal: three electron densities (one of them double) around each carbon.
Image Ethyne
 The atoms involved in a triple bond form a one-dimensional linear structure: two electron densities (two of them triple) around each carbon.
CH3CH3
ethane		CH2CH2
ethene		CHCH
ethyne
Carbon can sustain simple bonds with nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur...
Image Methanol
 The single bonds mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure: four electron densities ("balloons") around carbon.
Oxygen has four electron densities too (not explicited) and they are in tetrahedral arrangement. However, oxygen sustains two bonds that end up in angular disposition.
Image Methylamine
 The single bonds mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure: four electron densities ("balloons") around carbon.
Nitrogen has four electron densities too (not explicited) and they are in tetrahedral arrangement. However, nitrogen sustains three bonds that end up in pyramidal disposition.
Image Metiltiol
 The single bonds mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure: four electron densities ("balloons") around carbon.
Sulphur has four electron densities too (not explicited) and they are in tetrahedral arrangement. However, sulphur sustains two bonds that end up in angular disposition.
CH3OH
methanol		CH3NH2
methylamine		CH3SH
methylthiol
Image Acetone
 The four single bonds around the methyl carbons mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure: four electron densities ("balloons") around carbon.
However, the carbonyl carbon only bears three electron densities (one double) and ends up as trigonal planar.
Image Pyridine
 All pyridine carbons and nitrogen bear three electronic densities (in N the unsahered electron pair is not explicited). Therefore, all carbons are trigonal planar.
Nitrogen end up being angular.
Image Acetonitrile
 The four single bonds around the methyl carbon mark a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure.
The atoms involved in a triple bond form a one-dimensional linear structure: two electron densities (one of them triple) around each carbon.
Carbon can form multiple bonds with nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur...
Include them within a ring...
Practically anything you can think of...
But it is true that there are rules...

You will learn them!
CH3COCH3
acetone		C5H5N
pyridine		CH3CN
acetonitrile