C7H6O4

C7H6O4 is a molecular formula representing seven carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms. It serves as the formula for a family of organic compounds known as constitutional isomers, in which the same counts of atoms are arranged in different ways.

The formula has a degrees of unsaturation of five, calculated by the standard formula. This indicates a combination of rings and multiple bonds. A common interpretation for such formulas is the presence of an aromatic ring or another unsaturated framework, with additional carbonyl- or oxygen-containing functionalities to account for the extra oxygen atoms. However, there is no single preferred structure associated with C7H6O4; many distinct isomers satisfy the same elemental composition.

Properties and applications vary widely among the possible isomers. Because the exact arrangement of atoms determines physical characteristics such as melting point, solubility, and reactivity, C7H6O4 is not tied to a single set of properties or a specific use. In databases and literature, the formula is a identifier that precedes the identification of a specific structure, rather than a description of a specific compound.

Structural motifs that can fit C7H6O4 include benzenoid rings with carbonyl-containing substituents and additional oxygen-containing groups. Without a defined structural diagram (for example, a SMILES string or InChI), it is not possible to assign precise identity, properties, or hazards.

See also: molecular formula, isomer, organic chemistry.