Question

Write the structure of the following alkane:
5-(2-ethylbutyl)-3,3-dimethyldecane

Answer 1

Hint: Parent carbon chain can be determined by calculating the number of carbons in the longest carbon chain. Alkanes are the hydrocarbons which have no double or triple bond in their structures.

Complete step by step answer:
If organic compounds contain one principal functional group then the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms having that functional group is selected. Functional groups are specific substituents in the molecules which are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.
As per IUPAC rules, the first thing is to select the longest continuous chain. Then this chain is numbered and the numbering should begin from the end which is close to the substituent groups. Each substituent group has a certain assigned name whose numbering depends on the position of the carbon it has been attached to. These groups are generally arranged alphabetically.
5-(2-ethylbutyl)-3,3-dimethyldecane has a parent carbon chain called decane I.e. have 10 carbons in the chain. On its third carbon, two methyl groups are attached as mentioned (3,3). And on its fifth carbon, a butyl chain is bonded to which another ethyl chain is attached at the second position of the butyl chain. From all this, we get the structure of the compound as

Note:
 The IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry is a system of organic chemical compounds in nomenclature of chemicals as stated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Informally we call it the Blue Book. The book mentions certain rules for naming of compounds having functional groups.