ACCEPTED WAYS OF DEPICTING HEPTANE

heptane (systematic name)         n-heptane (common name)

STRUCTURAL FORMULAS specify how atoms are connected together

In condensed structural formulas some or all of the bonds are not shown.
Each condensed structure here represents the heptane molecule. The bond connectivity is clearly shown and the same in each of the structures.

Line drawings like these show only the C-C bonds of heptane

There is a carbon atom each place where a line ends or changes direction. In line drawings, bonds between C and H are not usually shown. Atomic symbols are not shown except when needed for emphasis or clarity.

"Stereo" drawings indicate how atoms are oriented in space.

MOLECULAR MODELS AND GRAPHICS, SUCH AS THOSE SHOWN NEXT, GIVE A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE SHAPE OF A MOLECULE AND THE SPACE IT OCCUPIES. HEPTANE IS A FLEXIBLE MOLECULE AND CAN ADOPT MANY DIFFERENT SHAPES. THE BOND CONNECTIVITY IS ALWAYS THE SAME IN ANY DEPICTION OF THE HEPTANE MOLECULE.

For a look at different bonding arrangements for C7H16 see C7H16 ISOMERS