Activity 3: Common Molecules, Structures and Names

Activity Intro:

In brief, the electrons that surround elements interact in a good way with electrons around other elements to create chemical bonds.  These chemical bonds are what hold atoms together to form molecules. Molecules are the most common form of chemical substances that we experience everyday in our lives.  If you go to Tylenol on wikipedia there is a good example of information on the molecule and the chemical structure of Tylenol.  In the upper right of the page there is a structure called a Ball and Stick model. This model represents atoms that are held together by chemical bonds.  In this model (which is quite common for chemistry) the black balls represent carbon atoms, the white balls represent hydrogen atoms, the blue balls represent nitrogen atoms, and the red balls represent oxygen atoms.  Notice that it is possible to have 1 or even 2 bonds between some of the atoms.  The other image is called a Kekule Diagram.  This is the short-hand method that scientists use to draw molecules.  It is very common for scientists to not indicate the carbon and hydrogen atoms since these are so common in molecules it becomes quite tedious!  So it becomes necessary to understand that the Kekule structures are short-hand notation for the more accurate Ball and Stick model.  The other common information needed for molecules is the molecular formula (this is the count of each type of atom in the molecule) and the formal chemical name.  While in wikipedia on Tylenol, if you click on acetominophen or paracetamol you come to a page that has the detailed chemical information on this common drug.  On the upper right is the same images. Under the images you will notice the systematic or IUPAC name.  This is the name that scientists call this molecule.  Also on the right you will notice the detailed chemical properties for this molecule, one of which is the formula, C₈H₉NO₂. So, in Tylenol there are 8 carbon atoms, 9 hydrogen atoms, 1 nitrogen atom and 2 oxygen atoms.


Questions/Activities:
1. Post a picture of three 3-dimensional Ball and Stick molecular models(choose your three favorite molecules) that you have created with common items around your home. Also post a molecular structure image(image from the web, of either a Kekule Structure or a Ball and Stick Model) and the IUPAC name of the molecule. 

• The two images below are of the molecule Carbon monoxide, also known as CO. Preferred IUPAC name is Carbon monoxide. Yellow is Oxygen, Red is Carbon on homemade model.

•  The two images below are of the molecule Carbon dioxide, also known as CO₂. Preferred IUPAC name is Carbon dioxide. Yellow is Oxygen, Red is Carbon on homemade model.

 

• The two images below are of the molecule Water also know as H₂O. Preferred IUPAC name is Water Oxidane. Yellow is Oxygen, Blue is Hydrogen on homemade model.

2. Post an image from the web, the chemical systematic (IUPAC) name, common name, and the molecule formula for 20 chemicals that you use or eat. Explore the ingredients of things like cosmetics and foods.
1. Water oxidane, also known as water. H₂O. 

2. Sodium chloride, also known as table salt. NaCl

3. Sodium tetraborate decahydrate, also known as borax. Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O 

4. Poly (1-acetyloxiethylene), also known as white glue. (C₄H₆O₂)_n 

5. Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also known as baking soda. NaHCO₃ 

6. Ethanoic acid, also known as vinegar. C₂H₄O₂ 

7. Sucrose, also known as table sugar. C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

8. 2-acetylsalicylic acid, also known as Aspirin. C₉H₈O₄

_{9. Ethylene glycol, also known as antifreeze.} C₂H₆O₂

10. Aluminum chlorohydrate, also known as antiperspirant. Al₂Cl(OH)₅

_{11. Carbon, also known as graphite. C}

12. Propane, known as propane. C₃H₈

13. (RS)-2-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)propanoic acid, also known as Ibuprofen. C₁₃H₁₈O₂ 

14. 1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione ; 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione    Also known as caffeine. C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ 

 15. (1R,2S,5R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol    Also known as menthol. C₁₀H₂₀O

16. 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. Also known as citric acid. C₆H₈O₇

17. 2-(diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine. Also known as Benadryl. C₁₇H₂₁NO

18. Ethanol, also known as Alcohol. C₂H₆O

19. Dihydrogen dioxide, also known as Hydrogen peroxide. 2(HO)

20. Sulphuric acid, also known as battery acid. H₂SO₄

3. Look over your molecules and the bonding characteristics, how many bonds does each of the following elements typically have?  Carbon? Hydrogen? Oxygen?

• Carbon - 4 bonds
• Hydrogen - 1 bond
• Oxygen - 2 bonds

4. What does IUPAC stand for?

• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

5. As you explore ingredients, notice how everything around us is made up of chemicals consisting of atoms bound together into molecules.  But what about companies that claim their products are chemical free! How can this be?  Here is an example: 
http://www.naturalhealthcareproducts.com/Cleaning-Products.php
Do a little web searching and propose what chemicals are actually in this product. Keep in mind, that everything at the molecular level is a chemical, whether it be made in nature or in a lab.

• According to the website given, it sounds like all of the ingredients are made in nature and not from a lab. One website suggests "Its ingredients are derived from raw vegetable materials with corn supplying the carbohydrate/sugar base, which is then combined with native oils such as coconut, or palm kernel oil to produce a material called an alkyl polyglyoxide. When combined with other suitable biodegradable materials these polyglyoxides produce high quality cleaning compounds and shampoos. The polyglyoxides enhance product performance and promote exceptionally low cosmetic mildness." Because this product seems to be in a liquid or gel type of form, there is most likely some water in the product which automatically puts a chemical into the product. By chemical free, the company probably means non-toxic chemicals. There are also probably some plants in the formula also.
• http://www.angelfire.com/oz/rainbowsacs/Aussie_Green.html