Structural Formulas

Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 40 of 49.

The full structural formula shows every atom and every bond: a line for each bonding pair. C₂H₆O can be ethanol or methoxymethane: only the structure tells them apart.

The full structural formula of ethanol, CH3-CH2-OH, with the O-H group shaded

Ethanol: the hydroxyl group, -OH, is shaded

Usual numbers of bonds: C 4, N 3, O 2, H 1, halogens 1. The condensed formula writes it on one line: CH₃CH₂OH.

Challenge

Ethanol, CH₃CH₂OH, is the alcohol in drinks and in hand gel. Draw every bond of its full structural formula.

Try it yourself

Lewis boardDraw the structural formula of CH₃CH₂OH

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Structure and Bonding

1Ionic Bonding

Why Atoms Bond Forming Ions The Ionic Bond Ionic Formulas Polyatomic Ions Ionic Lattices Recap - Salt Factory

4Polarity

Electronegativity and Bonds Polar and Non-polar Bonds Ionic or Covalent Polar Molecules When Dipoles Cancel Recap - Dipole Hunt

7Functional Groups

Carbon ChainsStructural FormulasAlcohols Carboxylic Acids Esters and Ethers Aldehydes, Ketones, Amines Recap - Group Finder

2Covalent Bonds

Sharing Electrons Counting Valence Electrons Drawing Lewis Structures Double and Triple Bonds Lone Pairs Formal Charge Lewis Structures of Ions Recap - Molecule Builder

5Forces Between Molecules

London Forces Dipole-Dipole Forces Hydrogen Bonds Boiling Points Like Dissolves Like Recap - Boiling Contest

8Practice Problems

Recap - Polar Bonds Survey Recap - Pigments and Hexane Recap - Butanol and Ether Recap - Dots on an Oxide

3Shapes of Molecules

Electron Groups Linear and Trigonal Planar Tetrahedral Molecules Pyramids and Bent Molecules Bond Angles Recap - Shape Detective

6Metals and Giant Structures

Metallic Bonding Diamond and Graphite Giant Covalent Structures Four Kinds of Substance Recap - Material Match