2007-07-05 14:20:57 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because there aren't enough bonds available. Except in metal compounds, hydrogen only forms one bond, thus the main structure of the molecule is the 5 carbons bonded together, as:
C-C-C-C-C
or other isomers. The end carbons then have 3 bonds available, the middle carbons have 2. 3*2 + 2*3 = 12, so the most hydrogens that a 5-carbon system can have is 12 (follows the 2n + 2 rule for saturated hydrocarbons).
2007-07-05 14:26:06 · answer #1 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the other poster said, there aren't enough slots for the hydrogens on the Carbon skeleton.
Also, if such a compound did exist, it would only exist very briefly and be very unstable, because it would have a +2 charge and it would quickly try to get rid of the two hydrogen atoms.
2007-07-05 21:31:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because each carbon can only bond to 4 other atoms, while hydrogen can only form one bond. Therefore, the maximum number of hydrogen atoms in a 5-carbon structure would be 12.
2007-07-05 21:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by Israfel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The maximum number of bonds to form a stable molecule is only C5H12. C6H14 is possible however.
2007-07-05 21:30:54 · answer #4 · answered by diburning 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because carbons can only make 4 bonds and you need more carbons to accompany all those hydrogens
2007-07-05 21:30:02 · answer #5 · answered by Travis T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋