Question

What are the steps to convert Newman projections to bond line notations?

Answer 1

You look for the longest chain, then you add the substituents.

Explanation:

Here is the Newman projection of a hydrocarbon. What is its bond-line notation?

(from people.bethelks.edu)

Step 1. Find the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms.

There is one `"C"` atom at the centre of the circle and a second one hidden at the back of the circle.

A methyl group off the back adds a third `"C"` atom.

On the front carbon, the ethyl group has the longest chain, for another two `"C"` atoms.

We draw a 5-carbon chain.

(from opsin.ch.cam.ac.uk)

Step 2. Locate the substituents.

Let's call the terminal `"C"` of the ethyl group `"C-1"`.

Then the front carbon in the circle is `"C-3"` and the hidden carbon is `"C-4"`.

`"C-3"` has a methyl group attached, while `"C-4"` has only `"H"` atoms.

So we have a 5-carbon chain with a methyl group at `"C-3"`.

(from opsin.ch.cam.ac.uk)

And we have our bond-line structure.