Home › NPCIL Trainee › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › The largest database of organic compounds lists …
The largest database of organic compounds lists roughly how many known substances?
AAbout 10 million
BAbout 10 thousand
CAbout 10 billion
DAbout 10^60
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. About 10 million
1. The text distinguishes between organic compounds that are actually known/catalogued versus those that are merely theoretically possible.
2. It states: "The largest database[1] of organic compounds lists about 10 million substances."
3. It separately notes: "The number of potential organic compounds has been estimated at 10^60—an astronomically high number," which is a theoretical upper bound, not the count of catalogued substances.
4. So the actual database size is about 10 million, while 10^60 is only the theoretical estimate of possible compounds -- do not confuse the two figures.
5. 10 thousand and 10 billion are simply the wrong order of magnitude for the real database.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry Ch 20 "Organic Chemistry", p.1098 §20.1 Hydrocarbons_
Related questions
The ester ethyl acetate (CH3CO2CH2CH3) forms when acetic acid reacts with which alcohol?Amines are organic molecules defined by the presence of which type of bond?Acetic acid, CH3CO2H, constitutes approximately what percentage of ordinary vinegar?Formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid, takes its name from the Latin word "formicus," Both carboxylic acids and esters contain a carbonyl group with a second oxygen atom bondedDimethyl ketone, CH3COCH3, is the simplest ketone and is better known by what common name?Formaldehyde (HCHO) is used for preserving tissue specimens and embalming bodies. What proBoth aldehydes and ketones contain a carbonyl group. What structurally distinguishes the t