After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Types of Formulas

There are multiple ways of representing an organic molecule by using different types of chemical formulas.

Molecular and empirical

Molecular and empirical

  • Molecular formula represents the number of each atom within a molecule.
  • Empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a molecule.
  • The table above shows some examples to demonstrate the relationship between molecular and empirical formulas.
Structural

Structural

  • Structural formulas show the location of bonds within a molecule.
  • This full structural formula shows a 2-D representation of the molecule identifying all bonds and their order.
  • The full structural formula does not necessarily show the true geometry of the molecule.
Condensed

Condensed

  • Condensed structural formulas allow chemists to condense the structure onto a single line.
  • Bonds are removed from the structure when possible and the bond order can be established by considering the number of substituents around each atom.
  • Repeating horizontal units can be summarised in brackets with a subscript.
Skeletal

Skeletal

  • The skeletal structure omits carbon and hydrogen atoms from the structure and only shows the carbon skeleton with functional groups.
3-D representations (stereochemical)

3-D representations (stereochemical)

  • Stereochemical formulas try to demonstrate the geometry around carbon atoms in an organic molecule.
  • Stereochemical formulas order the atoms and groups into 3-D spaces relative to each other around a central carbon.
  • Typically, a solid wedge represents a bond pointing forwards, and bonds pointing backward in space are notated with a broken wedge.
  • Bonds in the plane of the paper are notated by single lines.
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

Practice questions on Types of Formulas

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
Answer all questions on Types of Formulas

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium