Q1-17P - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

The following molecular model is a representation of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), the active ingredient in many sunscreens. Indicate the positions of the multiple bonds, and draw a skeletal structure (gray 5 C, red 5 O, blue 5 N, ivory 5 H).

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Step 1: Drawing chemical structures

The shorthand method to illustrate chemical structures is by condensed and skeletal structures. Condensed structures do not indicate the carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon single bonds.

Step 2: Skeletal structure of the given compound

In the given structure it is seen that several double bonds are present between ${\mathrm{C}}_1$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_2$, ${\mathrm{C}}_3$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_4$,${\mathrm{C}}_5$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_6$. The compound contains a $-\mathrm{COOH}$ group at the first carbon atom and a amino group is situated para to the $-\mathrm{COOH}$ group. The skeletal structure of the compound can be given as:

Structure of para-amino benzoic acid