7-7-67E-b - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Calculate the degree of unsaturation in each of the following formulas:

b) DDT, ${\mathrm{C}}_{14}{\mathrm{H}}_9{\mathrm{Cl}}_5$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

There are 8 degrees of unsaturation in DDT

Degree of unsaturation

The degree of unsaturation is determined by counting the number of C, H, halogen atoms, and nitrogen atoms present in a molecule. From a chemical formula, we can determine the structure by calculating the degree of unsaturation.

The degree of unsaturation in DDT

b) The degree of unsaturation in DDT with chemical formula  is calculated by the formula given below,

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Degrees} \mathrm{of} \mathrm{unsaturation}=\frac{2\left(\mathrm{C}\right)-\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{X}+\mathrm{N}+2}{2} \\ =\frac{2\left(14\right)-9-5+0+2}{2} \\ =\frac{16}{2}=8 \end{gathered}$$ 

Here, X is a chlorine atom.

 

Thus, there are 8 degrees of unsaturation in DDT.