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How many structural isomers can be drawn for pentane (C5H12)?

Answer 1

Ruby Allen

Are there not THREE structural isomers with formula #C_5H_12#?

#(i)# #"H"_3"CCH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3# #"n-pentane"#.

#(ii)# #"H"_3"CCH"("CH"_3)"CH"_2"CH"_3# #"isopentane"#.

#(iii)# #"H"_3"CC"("CH"_3)_3# #"neopentane"#.

The normal boiling points of these isomers are respectively: #36.1# #""^@C#; #27.7# #""^@C#; #9.5# #""^@C#.

Why does the boiling point seem to be influenced by the length of the carbon chain?

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Answer 2

Brooklyn Barber

Pentane (C5H12) has three structural isomers: n-pentane, isopentane (2-methylbutane), and neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane).

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.