2,2-dimethylbutane

Definition

2,2-dimethylbutane is a branched-chain alkane with the molecular formula C$_{6}$H$_{14}$. It is an isomer of the straight-chain alkane hexane, and is characterized by the presence of two methyl (CH$_{3}$) groups attached to the second carbon atom of the main carbon chain.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 2,2-dimethylbutane has a higher boiling point compared to the straight-chain isomer, n-hexane, due to its more compact and symmetrical structure.
2. The presence of the two methyl groups at the second carbon atom in 2,2-dimethylbutane results in increased steric hindrance, making the molecule more compact and less susceptible to intermolecular interactions.
3. 2,2-dimethylbutane is a branched-chain alkane, which means it has a carbon chain with one or more alkyl substituents (in this case, methyl groups) attached to the main carbon chain.
4. Branched-chain alkanes generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to their straight-chain counterparts with the same molecular formula, due to their more compact and less-organized structure.
5. The systematic name for 2,2-dimethylbutane is 2,2-dimethylbutane, which follows the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) naming convention for alkanes.

Review Questions

• Explain the structural features of 2,2-dimethylbutane and how they contribute to its physical properties.
  • 2,2-dimethylbutane is a branched-chain alkane with two methyl (CH$_{3}$) groups attached to the second carbon atom of the main carbon chain. This branched structure results in a more compact and symmetrical molecule compared to the straight-chain isomer, n-hexane. The presence of the two methyl groups also increases the steric hindrance within the molecule, leading to a higher boiling point compared to n-hexane. Branched-chain alkanes generally have lower melting and boiling points than their straight-chain counterparts due to their more compact and less-organized structure, which affects the strength of intermolecular forces.
• Describe the relationship between the molecular formula and the structural isomers of 2,2-dimethylbutane.
  • The molecular formula of 2,2-dimethylbutane is C$_{6}$H$_{14}$, which is the same as the molecular formula of the straight-chain alkane, n-hexane. This means that 2,2-dimethylbutane and n-hexane are structural isomers, as they have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space. Structural isomerism is a phenomenon where molecules with the same molecular formula can have distinct physical and chemical properties due to their different structural configurations. In the case of 2,2-dimethylbutane, the presence of the two methyl groups at the second carbon atom results in a branched-chain structure, which affects the molecule's physical properties, such as boiling point, compared to the straight-chain isomer, n-hexane.
• Analyze the significance of 2,2-dimethylbutane as an example of a branched-chain alkane and its implications in the context of alkanes and alkane isomers.
  • 2,2-dimethylbutane serves as an important example of a branched-chain alkane, which is a class of alkanes characterized by the presence of one or more alkyl substituents (such as methyl groups) attached to the main carbon chain. The branched structure of 2,2-dimethylbutane, with two methyl groups at the second carbon atom, results in a more compact and symmetrical molecule compared to the straight-chain isomer, n-hexane. This structural feature affects the physical properties of 2,2-dimethylbutane, such as its higher boiling point, due to changes in intermolecular interactions. The study of 2,2-dimethylbutane and its relationship to other alkane isomers helps illustrate the concept of structural isomerism, which is a fundamental aspect of organic chemistry and the understanding of the properties and reactivity of hydrocarbon compounds.

Related terms

Alkanes: Alkanes are a class of saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula C$_{n}$H$_{2n+2}$, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Alkane Isomers: Alkane isomers are different structural arrangements of the same molecular formula, resulting in compounds with distinct physical and chemical properties.

Structural Isomerism: Structural isomerism is the phenomenon where molecules have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms in space, leading to different properties.