The smallest organic ring compound that may be synthesized contains ____ carbon atoms

Options

A. 5
B. 4
C. 3
D. 7

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the smallest organic ring compound that may be synthesized, we can follow these steps:

1. **Identify the smallest organic ring compound**: The smallest organic ring compound is cyclopropane. Cyclopropane is a cyclic compound made up of three carbon atoms.

2. **Count the carbon atoms in cyclopropane**: Cyclopropane consists of three carbon atoms arranged in a triangular shape, forming a three-membered ring.

3. **Confirm that a two-carbon ring cannot exist**: It is important to note that a two-carbon ring (cyclopropane) cannot be synthesized because it would not be stable. Therefore, the smallest possible ring must have three carbon atoms.

4. **Conclusion**: Since cyclopropane is the smallest organic ring compound and contains three carbon atoms, we conclude that the answer to the question is 3.

Thus, the smallest organic ring compound that may be synthesized contains **3 carbon atoms**.