How to Read Line-Angle Drawings

Rule 1: Each unlabeled vertex or endpoint of a line is a C atom.
Rule 2: H atoms bonded to C atoms are not shown, typically.
Rule 3: Electron lone pairs are not shown, typically.

Organic chemists communicate with simplified Lewis Structures, also known as skeletal structures or line-angle drawings.

Helpful Tips

A neutral C atom with a filled octet should have 4 bonding pairs of electrons. If, for example, you only see two single bonds for a given carbon, this implies there are two undrawn H atoms bonded to the carbon.

From the line-angle drawing, figure out the molecular formula for the interesting compounds shown below.

List C, then H, then remaining elements in alphabetical order.

Max Molecular Weight Value:

14 500

Correct: ... Incorrect: ...