Skeletal structure

Definition

A skeletal structure is a simplified representation of an organic molecule that shows the bonding between atoms, excluding hydrogen atoms. It uses lines to represent carbon-carbon bonds and vertices or line ends to represent carbon atoms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hydrogen atoms are typically omitted in skeletal structures for simplicity.
2. Each vertex or line end represents a carbon atom unless otherwise specified.
3. Double and triple bonds are depicted by double and triple lines respectively.
4. Heteroatoms (non-carbon/hydrogen atoms) and their attached hydrogens are explicitly shown.
5. Skeletal structures are useful for visualizing the overall shape and connectivity of large organic molecules.

Review Questions

• Why are hydrogen atoms often omitted in skeletal structures?
• How is a triple bond represented in a skeletal structure?
• What does each vertex or line end represent in a skeletal structure?

Related terms

Hydrocarbon: An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.

Functional Group: A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound.

Isomer: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.