Are all alkanes linear? Illustrate your answer.

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 18, 2017

Are all alkanes linear? Consider the isomeric pentanes, #C_5H_12#...

Explanation:

#"n-pentane"#, #H_3C-CH_2CH_2CH_2CH_3# is certainly linear to a first approx. (when we write out the formula of an organic species, we ASSUME the most symmetrical representation).

But its isomers, #"neopentane"#, #(H_3C)_4C#, and #"isopentane"#,#(H_3C)_2CHCH_2CH_3#, are certainly NON-LINEAR with respect to their carbon chains....and both isomers are alkanes....

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