0
$\begingroup$

How would I determine the systematic name of $\ce{(CH3)2CHCH2CHClCH3}$?

First of all, how do we determine which side we number the carbon atoms from? It has an alkyl group ($\ce{CH3}$) and a functional group ($\ce{Cl}$). I got lucky by going from right to left so I wrote 2-chloro-4-methylpentane but why couldn't we also label this as 4-chloro-2-methylpentane?

Do we take functional groups in preference to alkyl groups when naming them?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

The substituents go alphabetically, and as 'chloro' is before 'methyl' in the alphabet, the correct name is 2-chloro-4-methylpentane.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.