In a cyclic hydrocarbon with only carbon-carbon single bonds and #n# number of atoms, how many hydrogen atoms are carbon there?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 31, 2016

If there is ONE carbocyclic ring of #n# carbons, the formula is #C_nH_(2n)#.

Explanation:

Try it out. Obviously, #n>=3#, why?

A useful idea to develop in this context is the the degree of unsaturation, which is developed in the thread link.

A saturated hydrocarbon, an alkane, has general formula #C_nH_(2n+2)#. Each double bond, or ring junction reduces the hydrogen count by 2. Cyclohexane, for instance, has formula #C_6H_12#, that is #1^@# #"of unsaturation"# by comparison to #"hexanes"#, #C_6H_14#.

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