29.1.2—Interpret/use the general, structural,

General formulae show a family pattern; structural formulae show how atoms are connected; displayed formulae show every bond; skeletal formulae show the carbon framework with most carbon-bound hydrogens omitted.

Translate between styles without changing connectivity. In a skeletal formula, each vertex and line end is a carbon unless labelled otherwise, and hydrogens on heteroatoms are shown.

Ethanol may be written C₂H₆O, CH₃CH₂OH, a displayed C–C–O structure, or a two-carbon skeletal chain ending in –OH. Each representation describes the same molecule.

A general formula cannot distinguish isomers, and a skeletal corner is not an unlabelled oxygen or hydrogen.