Question

Draw a structural formula for each of the following.

a. 3-methylpentanoic acid

b. ethyl methanoate

c. methyl benzoate

d. 3-chloro-2,4-dimethylhexanoic acid

Short answer

a.

b.

c.

d.

Step-by-step solution

Structure of compound a

(a)

To convert the given name "₃-methylpentanoic acid" to a molecular structure one would abide by the "IUPAC rule";

First by recognizing the root name "pent" one can conclude that the longest chain shall consist of five carbon atoms.

Next one would notice that prefix "₃-methyl-" which conveys that there shall be one methyl group attached to the third carbon atom.

Lastly, by the suffix "-oic acid" one can conclude that there shall be one carboxylic acid group attached to the first carbon atom, which conveys that this compound is acid.

Therefore, this would be the molecular structure of the given name:

Structure of compound b

(b)

To convert the given name "ethyl ethanoate" or more common name "ethyl formate" to a molecular structure we will abide by the "IUPAC rule";

In this specific case, one can recognize the prefix "ethyl"$\left(C{H}_{2}C{H}_3\right)$and suffix "-oatc",

Which conveys that this compound is formed from carboxylic acid and is an ester.

Therefore, the given compound "ethyl formate" molecular structure would be:

Structure of compound c

(c)

To convert the given name "methyl benzoate" to a molecular structure one would abide by the "IUPAC rule";

First by recognizing the root name "benz" one can conclude that the longest chain shall consist of six carbon atoms in its cyclic ring.

Next by the suffix "-oate" one can conclude that there shall be carboxylic acid group attached to the first carbon atom, which also conveys that this compound is ester.

Since one can notice the prefix "methyl- '' which tells us that there shall be one methyl group attached to the carboxylic acid by the rule of esters.

Therefore, this would be the molecular structure of the given name:

Structure of compound d

(d)

To convert the given name "3-chloro-2,4-dimethyl-hexanoic acid" to a molecular structure we will abide by the "IUPAC rule";

First by recognizing the root name "hex" one can conclude that the longest carbon chain shall consist of six carbon atoms.

Next one can notice the prefix "3-chloro-" and "2,4-dimethyl-" which conveys that there shall be one chlorine group attached to the third carbon atom and two methyl groups, one attached to the second carbon and other to the third carbon atom.

Lastly, by the suffix "-oic acid" one can conclude that there shall be one carboxylic acid group attached to the first carbon atom, which also tells us that this compound is acid.

Therefore, this would be the molecular structure of the given name: