Iupac Nomenclature
What is the correct IUPAC name of the compound CH₃–CH(OH)–CH₂–CH₃?
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Solution
butan-2-ol
The compound has a 4-carbon chain (butane backbone) with a hydroxyl group (–OH) on the second carbon from the end that gives the lower locant. According to IUPAC 2013 recommendations, the suffix '-ol' is placed immediately after the parent chain name with the locant placed directly before the suffix: butan-2-ol. '2-butanol' is the common (retained) name, not the preferred IUPAC name. '3-butanol' is incorrect because numbering from the other end gives C2, not C3. '1-methylpropan-1-ol' would imply a branched structure, which is not the case here.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- some basic principles of organic chemistry
- Topic
- iupac nomenclature
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
butan-2-ol
The compound has a 4-carbon chain (butane backbone) with a hydroxyl group (–OH) on the second carbon from the end that gives the lower locant. According to IUPAC 2013 recommendations, the suffix '-ol' is placed immediately after the parent chain name with the locant placed directly before the suffix: butan-2-ol. '2-butanol' is the common (retained) name, not the preferred IUPAC name. '3-butanol' is incorrect because numbering from the other end gives C2, not C3. '1-methylpropan-1-ol' would imply a branched structure, which is not the case here.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter some basic principles of organic chemistry, covering the topic of iupac nomenclature. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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