Is the molecular formula for sugar correct?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the molecular formula for sugar and the conventions for writing molecular formulas in general. Participants explore whether alternative arrangements of the molecular formula for sugar (C12H22O11) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are valid and discuss the rules governing these conventions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the molecular formula for sugar can be rearranged into forms like H22C12O11 or O11C12H22, suggesting that there may be multiple valid representations.
  • Another participant provides a similar example with sulfuric acid, proposing alternative arrangements of its formula, indicating a potential pattern in naming conventions.
  • A participant clarifies that the molecular formula for saccharose is C12H22O11 by convention, emphasizing that this order is based on alphabetical arrangement and does not fully convey the molecular structure.
  • There is a suggestion that the conventions for molecular formulas may not be as straightforward as alphabetical ordering, with references to the Hill and Richter systems for chemical formulas.
  • A participant raises a question about the formula for ammonia (NH3), implying that it may not fit the discussed conventions.
  • Another participant notes that historical reasons contribute to the established conventions for naming and writing molecular formulas, acknowledging that some names are well understood despite being unsystematic.
  • One participant offers an opinion on the placement of cations and anions in chemical formulas, suggesting a general rule that may apply to both ionic and covalent compounds, while noting exceptions like ammonia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of alternative molecular formula arrangements. There are multiple competing views regarding the conventions for writing molecular formulas, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the understanding of molecular formula conventions, including the dependence on historical naming practices and the potential for ambiguity in different contexts.

akerkarprashant
Messages
74
Reaction score
9
TL;DR
Molecular formula correction.
Is the following molecular formula for Sugar can be written as
H22C12O11 or
O11C12H22 or
O11H22C12 or
C12O11H22 or
H22O11C12
instead of C12H22O11?

Logically they can be written as mentioned above?

If Not, Why?

There can be many more examples similar to above.
 

Attachments

  • download (23).gif
    download (23).gif
    18 KB · Views: 235
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Thanks.

Another example could be for Sulphuric acid having molecular formula as H2SO4.

This can be SH2O4,O4H2S,H2O4S, SO4H2,O4SH2.

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
Two totally different cases.

The molecular formula for saccharose is C12H22O11 in that order -- by convention: Alphabetical. Doesn't tell you all you need to know to reconstruct the molecule. For that the IUPAC name (horrible ! See 3.1.1 here) is intended.

Sulfuric acid contains a functional group SO42- and -- as an inorganic acid -- its name by convention starts with the hydrogen ions. Hence H2SO4

##\ ##
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: DrClaude, vela, sysprog and 3 others
Thanks.

Mostly the convention for Molecular formulas will be alphabetical based ?

Is there a good site which sets the rules for molecular formula naming conventions?

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar
 
Not really. You could try Googling 'Hill system' or 'Richter system formulas'. Or even simply 'Chemical formula'

And my 'alphabetical' appears to be too simple-minded. The Hill system has C, H and then alphabetical, the RIchter system is still quite relevant (e.g. for Beilstein !). See e.g. here

##\ ##
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sysprog and akerkarprashant
Wait, so what about NH3?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sysprog, BvU and akerkarprashant
IUPAC colored books (never remember which one is which) are definitive source for conventions used. In some cases general convention says one thing, but common, well established names/formulas are allowed.

That's mostly for historical reasons, way too many names and conventions are well established, universally understood, but unsystematic.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: sysprog, pinball1970, jim mcnamara and 3 others
Here is one uncalled for, unprofessional opinion.

We usually put cations to the left and anions to the right (NaCl, K2S, etc.). This goes for covalent compounds, too, where we use oxidation numbers (SO2, H2S, etc). Exception ammonia, probably for historical reasons.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K