Question

Is a planar carbon "backbone" possible for propane? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

Cyclopropane has a planar carbon back bone while propane does not

Explanation:

We have to recognize that in straight chain saturated organic compounds, carbon atoms have a tetrahedral geometry. Each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms.

However, carbon atoms in cyclic compounds are also sp3 hybridized with each carbon bonded to only four other atoms but the ring system is highly strained.

Cyclopropane is a necessarily planar molecule with a bond angle that is far less than the expected tetrahedral bond angle due to strain in the molecule. Hence, the carbon atoms may have have a "planar backbone".