Question

Draw skeletal structures for the following:

a. 5-ethyl-2-methyloctane

b. 1,3-dimethylcyclohexane

c. 2,3,3,4-tetramethylheptane

d. propyl cyclopentane

e. 2-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl) octane

f. 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)decane

Short answer

Skeletal structures display bonds of carbon atoms where any other atom is represented than carbon.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Definition of skeletal structure.

Skeletal structures display bonds of carbon atoms where any other atom is represented than carbon.

Rules for finding the systematic names of alkanes.

• Identify the longest continuous carbon chain and give it a name.
• Identify and list the several organizations that are linked to this chain.
• Begin numbering the chain from the end that is closest to a substituent group.
• Assign an appropriate number and name to each substituent group's location.
• Assemble the name by listing the groups alphabetically by full name (e.g. cyclopropyl before isobutyl).
• When alphabetizing, the prefixes di, tri, tetra, and others, which are used to denote many groups of the same kind, are ignored.

Step 3: Subpart (a) The skeletal structure of 5-ethyl-2-methyloctane.   

Subpart (b) The skeletal structure of 1,3-dimethylcyclohexane.

Subpart (c) The skeletal structure of 2,3,3,4-tetramethylheptane.

Subpart (d) The skeletal structure of propyl cyclopentane.

Subpart (e) The skeletal structure of 2-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl) octane.

Subpart (f) The skeletal structure of 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)decane.