Final answer:
The condensed structure of 2,4-dimethyloctane is CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3, showing the eight carbon octane chain with methyl groups on the 2nd and 4th carbon atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condensed structure of 2,4-dimethyloctane can be derived from its name. According to IUPAC nomenclature rules, the octane part tells us that the molecule is an alkane with eight carbon atoms in its longest carbon chain (LCC), and the numbers indicate the positions of the methyl groups attached to that chain. Therefore, the structure starts with the eight carbon atoms of octane: C8H18. Then, we add the methyl groups (CH3) at the indicated carbon atoms. Since the methyl groups are on the 2nd and the 4th carbon, we write the structure as follows:
CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3
This shows the octane chain with the methyl groups attached to the respective carbon atoms as specified by the name 2,4-dimethyloctane.