Degree of Unsaturation: C9H6N4 | Structural Isomerism

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the degree of unsaturation for the compound with the molecular formula C9H6N4, focusing on structural isomerism and the calculations involved in finding the degree of unsaturation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the degree of unsaturation is calculated based on the number of π electrons, arriving at a value of 8.
  • Another participant points out that the degree of unsaturation also accounts for rings, implying that the correct answer should be 9.
  • A participant acknowledges their lack of knowledge regarding the formula for calculating degree of unsaturation and expresses curiosity about its derivation.
  • It is mentioned that the formula for degree of unsaturation includes contributions from both rings and π bonds, but no derivation is provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the degree of unsaturation, with differing views on the calculation methods and the inclusion of rings in the determination.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the assumptions made in the calculations and the definitions used for degree of unsaturation.

phoenixXL
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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.
 
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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.
 

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