Chapter 4, Problem 4.21P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

IHD for the compound having the molecular formula ${\text{C}}_{\text{7}}{\text{H}}_{\text{7}}{\text{NO}}_{\text{2}}$ is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

In order to determine the IHD of a given molecular formula, first, draw any saturated molecule that has the same number of each non-hydrogen atom as in the given formula. The saturated molecule must not contain double bonds, triple bonds, or rings. Each atom should have its ‘normal’ number of bonds and lone pairs to avoid formal charges. Thus, each carbon should have four bonds, each hydrogen should have one bond, each oxygen should have two bonds and two lone pairs, each halogen must have one bond and three lone pairs of electrons while each nitrogen should have three bonds and one lone pair. The next step is to determine how many more hydrogen atoms are in this saturated molecule compared to the formula that is given. In the last step, the IHD is calculated by dividing that number of additional hydrogen atoms by 2.