[Jill]

How many carbon atoms would an alkane chain have for there to be over 62 trillion possible isomers? I know 40 carbons has over 62 trillion isomers.



Edit: edited title for better indexing. Mitch

[GCT]

There should be a formula within your book, Organic chemistry, at the beginning of the alkanes section where introduction to the alkane isomers.

[Jill]

 ???This is what my book saidC40 H82= 62,491,178,805,831....but I didn't know if that was right or not?  So I was hoping someone could in-lighten me.  This chemistry buisness is usually over my head.  I read and re-read and for some reason it seems to go over my head.  Help~!  Thanks

[GCT]

Well, if that's what the book said, it would be safe to trust it.

[Donaldson Tan]

U can always brush up your mathematical foundation for permutation and combinations  

[Broadway_Alien]

is there a mathematical formula where you can determine the number of isomers for any given compound?

[dexangeles]

as far as I know, there is no mathematical formula to figure out the number of isomers for alkanes C_nH_n+2