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

1 Answer
Aug 13, 2015

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?

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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.

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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"#.

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And we have our bond-line structure.