General Chemistry for the Health Care Professions

General Chemistry
for the
Health Care Professions

shpslogo.jpg (6992 bytes)

Version1.0

3-3. STRUCTURAL FORMULAS

A structural formula is a chemical formula that shows how atoms are bonded to each other. For example, we might write AlOHCl₂ as shown here to emphasize the bonds.

803fig0301.jpg (2652 bytes)

However, in inorganic chemistry, the compounds are such that there is generally only one possible way to combine the atoms. This is not the case in organic chemistry, where very often there are many possible combinations for the atoms in the compound. Consider, for example, the formula C₄H₁₀. This formula could represent either of the following compounds

. 803fig0302.jpg (3662 bytes)

These compounds have slightly different properties. As the formulas become more complex, the differences are even greater. For this reason, it is often better to use a structural formula in organic chemistry rather than the simple chemical formula.

Original content of this course is supplied by Academy of Health Sciences
Fort Sam Houston, Tx.