The condensed structural formula for cyclobutyl methyl ether is C₄H₇-O-CH₃.
Cyclobutyl methyl ether is an organic compound characterized by an ether functional group (-O-) that connects a cyclobutyl ring to a methyl group. In a condensed structural formula, the structure is simplified by listing atoms in a linear fashion, showing the connectivity without explicitly drawing all individual bonds, particularly for hydrogen atoms.
Understanding the Components
To accurately represent cyclobutyl methyl ether using a condensed structural formula, it's essential to understand its constituent parts:
- Cyclobutyl Group (C₄H₇): This represents a four-membered carbon ring. As a substituent, the cyclobutyl group has the formula C₄H₇, indicating that one of the carbons in the ring is bonded to the ether oxygen, reducing its number of attached hydrogens compared to a saturated cyclobutane molecule.
- Oxygen Atom (O): This is the central atom of the ether functional group, which serves as the bridge connecting the two hydrocarbon groups (the cyclobutyl ring and the methyl group).
- Methyl Group (CH₃): This is the simplest alkyl group, consisting of one carbon atom covalently bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
The Ether Connection
The term "ether" specifically refers to the oxygen atom linking two alkyl or aryl groups. In the case of cyclobutyl methyl ether, the oxygen atom forms a bond with both the cyclobutyl ring and the methyl group. This arrangement is clearly depicted in the condensed formula C₄H₇-O-CH₃, where:
- C₄H₇ concisely denotes the cyclobutyl ring.
- -O- signifies the ether oxygen atom.
- CH₃ represents the methyl group.
This formula provides a straightforward and comprehensive representation of the molecule's composition and the sequential arrangement of its atoms, effectively communicating its structure without the need for a full Lewis structure.
