Key Concepts—Structure and Bonding

Several topical creams used for pain relief contain cspssicin as their active ingredient. 

The principles learned in this chapter apply to all organic molecules regardless of size or complexity. For example, we now know a great deal about the structure of capsaicin, the spicy component of hot peppers mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. 

Some of these concepts are illustrated in the skeletal structure for capsaicin. As we continue our study of organic chemistry you will see that these fundamental properties about a molecule determine its physical properties and its behavior in chemical reactions. 

All atoms in this ring are sp hybridized and trigonal planar. 

Answer the following questions about capsaicin. In all questions, label different sites than those identified in the structure shown. 

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