A single carbon branch within a hydrocarbon is referred to as a methyl group, while a two carbon branch is referred to as an ethyl group. What then is the formal name for the structure shown below?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The longest continuous carbon chain is 8 carbon atoms, so the base name is octane. There are methyl groups at positions 3 and 6, and an ethyl group at position 4. Therefore, the name is 3,6-dimethyl-4-ethyloctane.

A Single Carbon Branch Within a Hydrocarbon Is Referred to as a Methyl