Question

Name the following compounds.

Short answer

a. 4-chloro—benzoic acid.

b. 3-ethyl-2-methyl-hexanoic acid.

c. Formic acid.

Step-by-step solution

List of IUPAC rules for naming compounds

To name the given compounds one would use the IUPAC rules.

First one should recognize that the root of the compound, which is the longest carbon chain (parent chain), secondly one should observe and see if there are other groups attached to the parent chain of the compound, those are called substituent (prefix). - Thirdly one should recognize suffix, that is the functional group, which is present on the parent chain,

Observe the given molecular structure a:

(a)

By observing the given molecular structure, one would notice that

The longest carbon chain consists of six carbon atoms and its longest chain in a cyclic ring tells us that the root name would be "benz".

Next, one would see that one chlorine group attached to the fourth carbon atom, which shows that prefix would be "4-chloro".

Lastly, one would notice that carboxylic acid group attached to the first carbon atom shows that this compound is acid.

Therefore, the name of the compound shall be 4-chloro—benzoic acid

Observe the given molecular structure b:

(b)

By observing the given molecular structure, one would notice that the longest carbon chain consists of six carbon atoms which says that the root name will be "hex".

Next, one would see that one methyl and one ethyl group, is attached to the second carbon atom and other to the third carbon atom, which shows that prefix would be " 3-ethyl-2-methyl".

Lastly, notice that carboxylic acid group attached to the first carbon atom shows that this compound is an acid.

Therefore, this would be the name of the given structure is 3-ethyl-2-methyl-hexanoic acid.

Observe the given molecular structure C:

Observing the given molecular formula:

In this specific case one would notice that carboxylic acid bonded to just one hydrogen atom.

In that manner a new acid is formed which is one of the most important intermediates for chemical synthesis.

Therefore, the IUPAC name for this compound is Formic acid.