Question

How many rings does an alkane have if its formula is c8h12?

Answer 1

3 rings.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In this case, there are two possible ways to bear out that this alkane has two rings.

- Drawing: on the attached document, you will see the suitable structural formula for such alkane.

- By computing the degree of unsaturation: one applies the following formula for the degree of unsaturation that is also related with the number of rings no double or triple bonds are present , whereas
`n_C` accounts for the number of carbon atoms and
`n_H` for the number of hydrogen atoms:

`Rings=(2n_C+2-n_H)/(2)=(2*8+2-12)/(2) =(18-12)/(2)=3`

Best regards.

Answer 2

In order to find out the number of rings present in the compound, you would need to know the degree of unsaturation present in it. We know that the saturated hydrocarbon is in the form of CnH2n+2. Thus the saturated counterpart of C8H12 is C8H18. You would notice that it has less than 6 hydrogen atoms or 3 hydrogen molecule. Thus the number of rings present in the compound is 3.