Structural formula

Definition

A structural formula is a representation of the molecular structure that shows the arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them. It provides more detailed information than a chemical formula, illustrating how atoms are connected within the molecule.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structural formulas show the specific connectivity between atoms in a molecule, including single, double, and triple bonds.
2. They can represent complex molecules more clearly by depicting functional groups and branches.
3. Structural formulas help in understanding isomerism, where compounds have the same molecular formula but different structures.
4. There are two main types: condensed structural formulas and expanded structural formulas.
5. Lewis structures are a type of structural formula that also denote lone pairs of electrons.

Review Questions

• What does a structural formula reveal about a molecule that a chemical formula does not?
• Why are structural formulas important for understanding isomerism?
• What information can be derived from Lewis structures that might not be evident in other types of structural formulas?

Related terms

Molecular Formula:

A notation showing the type and number of atoms in a molecule without indicating their arrangement or bonds.

Isomerism: The phenomenon where two or more compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

Lewis Structure:

A diagram showing the bonding between atoms and any lone pairs of electrons in a molecule.