The molecular formula of first member of a certain group of organic compounds is CH2O(HCHO).Determine the name & molecular formula of third member of this group if it is in homologous series. What is the general name for this group of organic compounds?

Name and molecular formula of third memderis propanol

and C3H7OH
General name for this group of organic compounds is CnH2n
Alkane

Propane

Alkene
CNH2N

But how it's third member will be C3H6O right

To determine the name and molecular formula of the third member of a homologous series, we need to understand the pattern of the series and the relationship between its members.

A homologous series is a series of organic compounds having the same functional group and similar chemical properties, with each member differing from the previous one by a specific molecular "unit." In this case, the first member of the series is CH2O, which is formaldehyde (also known as methanal or HCHO). Now let's use this information to find the name and molecular formula of the third member.

In a homologous series, the molecular formula increases by the same molecular unit or increment for each member. In this case, we can identify that the molecular unit is CH2, as we add a CH2 unit each time.

Since the first member, CH2O (HCHO), lacks any carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds, the next member in the series is expected to have one C-C bond.

To determine the molecular formula of the third member, we need to add a CH2 unit to the molecular formula of the second member, which is CH2O. Adding a CH2 unit gives us C2H4O, which indicates that the molecular formula of the third member is C2H4O.

Now, let's determine its name. The molecular formula C2H4O corresponds to an aldehyde with two carbon atoms. Following the standard naming convention for aldehydes, the third member of this homologous series would be named "Ethanal" or "Acetaldehyde."

Therefore, the name of the third member of this homologous series is Ethanal, and its molecular formula is C2H4O.

The general name for this group of organic compounds, based on the first and third members, would likely be aldehydes, as both formaldehyde (methanal) and ethanal belong to this functional group.