To be more precise, it is
four fused cyclohexanes in
chair form. To see this it is necessary to see the structure - sadly this is beyond my
ASCII art skillz. However, start with the base (a cyclohexane) and
superimpose another cyclohexane around the symmetry axis that runs through the center of the ring:
|
_____|______
/ | \
/ | \
/ | \
/ /|\ \
\ B A \_/ S E /
\ /
\ /
\____________/
|
|
|
AX|IS
Of course, this is a threefold symmetry axis - which accomodates the three other rings. These virtual rings 'share' every atom - all ten of them. As it is saturated - and because every other carbon is connected to three others - it has ten hydrogens.
C10H16