The order of the elements in the chemical formula is sometimes written in such a way to clarify the structure of the chemical compound. For example, take a molecul which has two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The chemical formula could be written as C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O, however this does not clarify the structure of the molecule. C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH lets the chemist know that there is a [[hydroxyl]] group, OH in the molecule. Now the chemist knows that the compound is an alcohol, ethanol. To clarify the structure even more, it could be written as CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH, to show that three hydrogens are bonded to the first carbon, which is itself bonded to a second carbon. The second carbon is bonded to two hydrogens and a hydroxyl group. | The order of the elements in the chemical formula is sometimes written in such a way to clarify the structure of the chemical compound. For example, take a molecul which has two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The chemical formula could be written as C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O, however this does not clarify the structure of the molecule. C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH lets the chemist know that there is a [[hydroxyl]] group, OH in the molecule. Now the chemist knows that the compound is an alcohol, ethanol. To clarify the structure even more, it could be written as CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH, to show that three hydrogens are bonded to the first carbon, which is itself bonded to a second carbon. The second carbon is bonded to two hydrogens and a hydroxyl group. |