Question

Draw a skeletal structure for (CH3)3COH.

Answer 1

The skeletal structure of (CH3)3COH involves a central carbon with three CH3 groups attached to it and one OH group. The carbon atoms are represented by the ends and bends in the lines, with no explicit hydrogens on carbons, and the OH group is drawn with the elemental symbols.

Step-by-step explanation:

To draw the skeletal structure of (CH3)3COH, we should first understand the shorthand method used in organic chemistry. In skeletal structures, carbon atoms are represented by ends and bends of lines, and hydrogen atoms bonded to carbons are omitted. Other atoms, such as oxygen in this case, are represented by their elemental symbols.

Here is a step-by-step explanation:

1. Begin by drawing a central carbon atom as the intersection point of three lines (each representing a carbon atom).
2. From this central carbon, extend three lines outward, which will represent three CH3 groups.
3. Since we know each carbon atom forms four bonds and there are no hydrogens to be shown on the skeletal structure, each of the outer ends of the lines that represent the CH3 just terminate (as all the missing bonds are to hydrogen atoms).
4. Finally, directly bonded to the central carbon, draw an -OH group to represent the hydroxyl (OH) group.

The resulting skeletal structure of (CH3)3COH will show a central point with three lines radiating outward (each ending with implied CH3 groups), and an OH group bonded to the central carbon atom.