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Example · Example 3

Q.Write the IUPAC name of CH3-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH3.

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The molecule is CH3−CH2−CH(CH3)−CH2−CH3\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_3. The longest continuous carbon chain runs through five carbons, so the parent chain is pentane. There is one −CH3-\text{CH}_3 branch, attached to the middle carbon of that chain. Numbering from either end of the chain places this branch on carbon 3 (the chain is symmetric about its middle carbon, so both directions give the same locant), so no choice of direction is needed to satisfy the lowest-locant rule. The substituent is therefore cited as '3-methyl'.

[!ANSWER] The IUPAC name is 3-methylpentane.

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