The total number of structural ethers possible with the molecular formula `C_5H_(12)O` ?

Options

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

Answer

To determine the total number of structural ethers possible with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂O, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the structure of ethers
Ethers have the general structure R-O-R', where R and R' are hydrocarbon chains. In this case, we need to find different combinations of carbon chains that can sum up to five carbons while including an oxygen atom.

### Step 2: Identify possible carbon chain combinations
We can have different combinations of carbon chains (R and R') that add up to five carbons. The combinations can be:
- 1 carbon (methyl) and 4 carbons (butyl)
- 2 carbons (ethyl) and 3 carbons (propyl)
- 3 carbons (propyl) and 2 carbons (ethyl)
- 4 carbons (butyl) and 1 carbon (methyl)

### Step 3: List the structural isomers
1. **Methyl butyl ether** (1 carbon + 4 carbons)
2. **Ethyl propyl ether** (2 carbons + 3 carbons)
3. **Propyl ethyl ether** (3 carbons + 2 carbons)
4. **Butyl methyl ether** (4 carbons + 1 carbon)

### Step 4: Consider branched isomers
For each of the combinations, we can also consider branched isomers:
- For the butyl group, we can have:
- n-butyl (straight chain)
- isobutyl (branched)
- sec-butyl (branched)
- tert-butyl (branched)

### Step 5: Count the total structural isomers
1. **Methyl butyl ether**:
- n-butyl
- isobutyl
- sec-butyl
- tert-butyl
2. **Ethyl propyl ether**:
- n-propyl
- isopropyl
3. **Propyl ethyl ether**: (same as above)
4. **Butyl methyl ether**: (same as above)

### Final Count
After considering all combinations and branching, we find that there are a total of **6 structural isomers** of ethers possible with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂O.

### Conclusion
The total number of structural ethers possible with the molecular formula C₅H₁₂O is **6**.

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