Clarification on Chemical Formulas

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the representation of chemical structures using skeletal formulas, specifically addressing the interpretation of zig-zag lines as carbon chains with omitted hydrogen atoms. It establishes that each vertex in the zig-zag structure corresponds to a carbon atom, and the upper half of the hexagon is not present in the discussed formula. The participants confirm that there are 16 carbon atoms in the topmost branch of the structure, beginning from the oxygen atom with a double bond.

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Robotesco
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I was wondering what the upper half of the hexagon represents, I assume the Triangles represent O repeating; and how would this formula be written out in text.
Fat_triglyceride_shorthand_formula.PNG
 
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I don't see hexagons here?

These zig-zagged lines are just carbon chains (with hydrogen omitted for clarity). Single line means single bond, double line means double bond.
 
Borek said:
I don't see hexagons here?

These zig-zagged lines are just carbon chains (with hydrogen omitted for clarity). Single line means single bond, double line means double bond.

Any idea on how the chemical formula would be written out?
How many carbon atoms do the zigzags represent after the Oxygen atom?
 
Robotesco said:
How many carbon atoms do the zigzags represent after the Oxygen atom?
Count 'em up.

I count 16 C atoms in the topmost branch, starting where the O has a double-bond. (Don't forget the C at the end of the chain!)
 

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