How many covalent bonds are present in a Chloropropane molecule having molecular formula, C3H7Cl ?

Chloropropane (C3H7Cl) is a saturated organic compound where carbon atoms are linked by single covalent bonds. In all stable carbon compounds, each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds to satisfy its valency. To determine the total number of covalent bonds, we analyze the molecular structure of its isomers, such as 1-chloropropane or 2-chloropropane [1]. The molecule consists of a three-carbon chain (C-C-C), which accounts for 2 C-C bonds. There are 7 carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds and 1 carbon-chlorine (C-Cl) bond [1]. Summing these: 2 (C-C) + 7 (C-H) + 1 (C-Cl) = 10 total covalent bonds. Each bond represents a shared pair of electrons between atoms [1][2]. Therefore, the molecular formula C3H7Cl contains exactly 10 covalent bonds, regardless of whether it is the 1-chloro or 2-chloro isomer.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.2 VERSATILE NATURE OF CARBON > p. 62
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.1 BONDING IN CARBON – THE COVALENT BOND > p. 60