Practice Problem 5

Name the following compound.

Solution

The longest continuous chain in the skeleton structure of this compound contains seven carbon atoms. It is therefore named as a derivative of heptane.

The heptane chain contains two substituents, a methyl group on the second carbon atom and an ethyl group on the fourth carbon atom.

Because the substituents are listed in alphabetical order, the systematic name for this compound is 4-ethyl-2-methylheptane.