Robertsonin

Robertsonin is a fictional organic molecule commonly used in textbooks and classroom exercises to illustrate chemical nomenclature, structure drawing, and interpretation of spectroscopic data. The name is attributed to a hypothetical researcher, Dr. A. Robertson, in many teaching scenarios to provide a concrete example without relying on real compounds.

Structure and properties

In standard teaching representations, Robertsonin is described as a small, rigid polycyclic molecule with a fused ring system that includes an ether linkage and a single hydroxyl substituent. It is typically depicted with a molecular weight in the range of approximately 190 to 230 g/mol, modest solubility in common organic solvents, and limited solubility in water. Spectroscopic descriptors used in examples place Robertsonin in the mid-visible to UV region and give characteristic signals in infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra appropriate for a hydroxyl-bearing, ether-containing framework.

Synthesis and occurrence

In educational contexts, Robertsonin is shown as being accessible through a short, hypothetical sequence of standard organic transformations from readily available precursors. It is presented as a non-existent real-world compound, used purely to demonstrate stepwise synthesis planning, functional group interconversions, and the interpretation of synthetic routes in problem sets.

Applications and significance

Robertsonin serves primarily as a pedagogical tool. It enables students to practice naming conventions, draw correct skeletal structures, predict physical properties, and analyze spectroscopic data. Because it is not a real chemical, discussions focus on methodology and reasoning rather than empirical data or applications in industry or medicine.