Question

The IUPAC name of the compound is (A) 1-methoxy-1-methylethane (B) 2-methoxy-2-methylethane (C) 2-methoxypropane (D) isopropylmethyl ether

Short answer

The compound's correct IUPAC name is isopropylmethyl ether, as it consists of an isopropyl group (\(CH_3CH(CH_3)\)) and a methyl group (\(CH_3\)) connected by an oxygen atom. Thus, the answer is (D) isopropylmethyl ether.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the main functional group

We are dealing with an ether, which is a compound containing an oxygen atom bonded to two organic groups. Ethers are named based on the two groups surrounding the oxygen atom and adding the suffix "-ether."

Identify the two organic groups surrounding the oxygen atom

In all the given options, there are two organic groups surrounding the oxygen atom. We need to find which groups are present.

Determine the names of the organic groups

The structure involves "isopropyl" group and "methyl" group connected by an oxygen atom. Isopropyl group has the formula (\(CH_3CH(CH_3)\)) and a methyl group has the formula (\(CH_3\)).

Arrange the names of the organic groups in alphabetical order

We should arrange the names of the organic groups alphabetically. In this case, "isopropyl" comes before "methyl."

Combine the names of the organic groups along with the suffix "-ether"

Since the groups are "isopropyl" and "methyl," we can combine them to form the IUPAC name of the ether: isopropylmethyl ether.

Choose the correct answer

The correct IUPAC name of the compound is isopropylmethyl ether. So, the answer is (D) isopropylmethyl ether.

Key concepts

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry focused on the study of the structures, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and materials. It is essential to understand the basics of organic chemistry to grasp how different atoms combine to form the vast array of organic compounds that exist in nature and can be synthesized in the lab.

One of the core principles of organic chemistry is the ability to name compounds systematically. This provides a universal language that chemists around the world can use to communicate the composition and structure of chemical substances. The IUPAC naming system is the standard method used to name organic compounds, and it incorporates the types of atoms present, the bonding arrangement between those atoms, and the functional groups attached to the carbon skeleton.

Functional Groups in Organic Compounds

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that have characteristic properties and predictable reactivity regardless of the size of the molecule. They are the centers of chemical reactivity in organic chemistry.

An ether, the functional group in focus for this exercise, consists of an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. It is important to note that the presence of functional groups defines how a molecule will behave in chemical reactions. Other common functional groups include alcohols, amines, carbonyls, and carboxylic acids.

When naming molecules in organic chemistry, identifying the functional groups is an essential step. For ethers, the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the oxygen are named in alphabetical order, followed by the word 'ether'.

Molecular Structure Identification

Identifying the molecular structure of a compound is a fundamental step in determining its IUPAC name. This involves recognizing the various atoms in the molecule and understanding how they are connected.

In the provided exercise, the goal was to identify that the molecular structure included an isopropyl group and a methyl group connected by an oxygen atom. The name 'isopropyl' refers to a branching part of the molecule that includes a two-carbon chain with a methyl group (CH₃) attached to the middle carbon. The 'methyl' group is a single carbon atom bound to three hydrogens (CH₃).

The rules for naming ethers require the naming of the two organics groups bonded to the oxygen alphabetically without consideration for the number of carbons. In this case, 'isopropyl' comes before 'methyl' alphabetically, resulting in the name isopropylmethyl ether. Being familiar with common structural components like isopropyl and methyl groups is helpful for efficiently tackling molecular structure identification in organic chemistry.