Degree of Unsaturation: C9H6N4 | Structural Isomerism

  • Thread starter Thread starter phoenixXL
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Degree
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the degree of unsaturation for the compound with the molecular formula C9H6N4. Initially, a participant calculated the degree of unsaturation based on π electrons, arriving at a value of 8. However, confusion arose when a textbook indicated the answer should be 9. The key point clarified is that the degree of unsaturation includes both π bonds and rings, with the latter contributing an additional degree. The formula for calculating degree of unsaturation is provided, emphasizing that it accounts for both rings and π bonds. This formula is defined rather than derived, which helped resolve the misunderstanding regarding the calculation.
phoenixXL
Messages
49
Reaction score
4
Question
Find out the degree of unsaturation in a compound having the molecular formulae C9H6N4.

Attempt
The point lies in making the possible structure(s).
The structure that I felt possible is as follows
Struct.png

In the compound above there are 8-π electrons,
Hence the degree of unsaturation is 8(Ans)

Problem

The problem comes from the topic of structural isomerism and the book says the answer to be 9

Please help me out. Thanks for your time.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Hint: you are aware of the fact degree of unsaturation for cyclohexane - despite the compound being saturated - is 1?

In other words, degree of unsaturation is not only about pi electrons. There are formulas to calculate degree of unsaturation based on the molecular formula alone (without any structural information).
 
Okay, I didn't knew about that.
I looked Wikipedia and found that rings are counted as a degree of unsaturation, therefore I get the missing "1" from my answer. Also I was unaware of the formula(curious to see its derivation).
Thank You.
 
phoenixXL said:
Also I was unaware of the formula(curious to see its derivation).

There is no derivation - it is more like a definition.
 
phoenixXL said:
Okay, I didn't knew about that.
I looked Wikipedia and found that rings are counted as a degree of unsaturation, therefore I get the missing "1" from my answer. Also I was unaware of the formula(curious to see its derivation).
Thank You.

##DU = 1 + \frac{1}{2}∑[n_i (v_i - 2)]## where ni is the number of atoms of an element and vi is the valency of that element. Note that this gives you the total number of rings and π bonds.
 
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'
I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
Back
Top