IUPAC Name of C₆H₁₂ | methylcyclopentane
What is the IUPAC name of C₆H₁₂?
The IUPAC name of C₆H₁₂ is methylcyclopentane. It is a cycloalkane with a 5-carbon parent chain (cyclopentane) with a methyl at position 1 substituent.
| Formula | C₆H₁₂ |
| IUPAC Name | methylcyclopentane |
| Compound Class | Cycloalkane |
| Parent Chain | cyclopentane (5 carbons) |
| Substituents | methyl at C1 |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
Step 1: Identify the Parent Chain
The longest continuous carbon chain in C₆H₁₂ contains 5 carbon atoms, giving the parent name cyclopentane. The parent structure is based on a carbon ring.
Step 2: Number and Name Substituents
Number the parent chain so that substituents receive the lowest possible locants. methylcyclopentane has one substituent:
- methyl at carbon 1
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 methylcyclopentane.
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