Q 31.10 - Organic Chemistry

Question

Locate the isoprene units in each compound.

a. 

b. 

c. 

d.  

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Answer

a. 

b.

c. 

d. 

Step 1:Terpenes

Terpenes constitute lipids comprising five-carbon units termed isoprene units. They comprise hydrocarbons possessing one or several rings or are acyclic. Terpenoids are compounds comprising isoprene units and an oxygen atom. An example of a terpenoid is myrcene.

Step 2: Locating isoprene units

The isoprene units can be identified by beginning at one end of the molecule’s end, adjacent to the branch point. Then identify the four-carbon chain comprising a one-carbon branch. 

An isoprene unit can only comprise sigma bonds or include pi bonds at any position.

Every isoprene unit comprises five carbon atoms.

Step 3: Locating isoprene units in the given compound

a. The molecule geraniol comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of geraniol are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of geraniol

b. The molecule vitamin A comprises four isoprene units. The isoprene units of vitamin A are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of Vitamin A

c. The molecule grandisol comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of grandisol are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of grandisol

d. The molecule camphor comprises two isoprene units. The isoprene units of camphor are given in bold as:

Isoprene units of camphor