IUPAC Name of C₅H₁₂O | 2-methylbutan-2-ol
What is the IUPAC name of C₅H₁₂O?
The IUPAC name of C₅H₁₂O is 2-methylbutan-2-ol. It is a alcohol with a 4-carbon parent chain (butan-2-ol) with a methyl at position 2 substituent.
| Formula | C₅H₁₂O |
| IUPAC Name | 2-methylbutan-2-ol |
| Compound Class | Alcohol |
| Parent Chain | butan-2-ol (4 carbons) |
| Substituents | methyl at C2 |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
Step 1: Identify the Parent Chain
The longest continuous carbon chain in C₅H₁₂O contains 4 carbon atoms, giving the parent name butan-2-ol. The parent chain must include the carbon bearing the hydroxyl (-OH) group.
Step 2: Number and Name Substituents
Number the parent chain so that substituents receive the lowest possible locants. 2-methylbutan-2-ol has one substituent:
- methyl at carbon 2
Step 3: Assemble the IUPAC Name
Combine the substituent locants and names (in alphabetical order) as prefixes to the parent chain name. If two or more identical substituents are present, use the multiplying prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, etc. The complete IUPAC name is 2-methylbutan-2-ol.
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