Condensed structural formula of a chemical is a concise way to represent the molecular structure of a compound using text, without drawing a full structural diagram. It shows the arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them in a simplified format, typically omitting explicit bond lines and grouping atoms to reflect the molecule’s connectivity. For example, in a condensed structural formula, a carbon atom bonded to hydrogens is often written as a single unit, such as “CH3” for a methyl group, rather than showing each carbon-hydrogen bond individually. Consider ethanol, which has the molecular formula \(C_2H_5OH\). Its condensed structural formula is \(CH_3CH_2OH\), indicating a chain of two carbon atoms, with the first bonded to three hydrogens, the second to two hydrogens and one hydroxyl group \((OH)\). This format contrasts with the full structural formula, which uses lines to depict bonds, or the molecular formula, which only lists the types and numbers of atoms (e.g., \(C_2H_5OH\) for ethanol). Condensed formulas are widely used in organic chemistry for their clarity and brevity, making it easier to communicate complex structures efficiently while still conveying essential bonding information.
