Answer:
O This can be one of two componds: ethanol or dimethyl ether.
Step-by-step explanation:
I'm having trouble interpreting:
Η Η | | H—C-C-0-HHH
The manner in which a chemical structure is written plays a large roll in how to interpret what compund it is. In this case we can count 2 carbons, 1 oxygen, and 6 hydrogens.
From this, we are tempted to quickly conclude and write:
O
and state that this is clearly ethanol. Why would it be anything else?
Although this is a correct possible interpretation of the information, but
O it has at least two different structures: ethanol and dimethyl ether. See the attached diagram.
Most combination of elements can have more than 1 structure, and are therefore different compounds. Because if this, the manner in which the structure is drawn is essential to how it is interpreted. Even the formula notation has certain rules designed to help identify the compound. The attached diagram illustrates the two ways ethanol and dimethyl ether can be lav=belled: C2H5OH, which highligts the -OH group and identifies it as an alcohol. Dimethyl ether has the O atom at the end, without the H atom stuck behind it. This signals that it is incorporated somewhere else in the molecule.