Question

The IUPAC name of $({\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5{)}_2{\text{CHCH}}_2\text{OH}$ is ____________.

• A. 2-ethylbutan-1-ol
• B. 2-methylpentan-1-ol
• C. 2-ethylpentan-1-ol
• D. 3-ethylbutan-4-ol

Answer 1

The correct option is A 2-ethylbutan-1-ol

The given compound can be written and numbered as shown below.

$\bullet$ The word root is 'but' as there are four carbon atoms in the parent chain.

$\bullet$ The compound contains only single bond between its carbon atoms. Hence, the primary suffix is '-an-'.

$\bullet$ The secondary suffix will be '-1-ol' as an alcohol group is present in the first carbon atom.

$\bullet$ The compound will have a prefix '2-ethyl' as an ethyl group is present at the second carbon atom. Therefore, the IUPAC name of the compound is 2-ethylbutan-1-ol.

However, the name 3-ethylbutan-4-ol is not possible because the numbering of the carbon atoms should start from carbon containing the functional group.