Mastering Naming Hydrocarbons: Tips and Tricks for Homework Assignments

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The discussion centers on identifying the correct name for a hydrocarbon based on its structure. Initially, there was confusion regarding the longest chain and the correct answer, with one participant believing it was D due to their method yielding heptane with branches. However, upon further examination, it was clarified that the longest chain actually consists of eight atoms, leading to the correct naming as 2-ethyl-4,5-dimethylheptane. The final consensus confirms that the correct answer is C, correcting an earlier typo in the original post. This highlights the importance of accurately identifying the longest carbon chain and branching in hydrocarbon nomenclature.
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Homework Statement


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The Attempt at a Solution


The answer is supposed to be D but I can't figure out why, my method gave me B
counting the number of points in the longest chain there are 7 and there are only single bonds so without the branches I have heptane. there is a ethyl attached to the second point and a methyl attached to the fourth and fifth point so it should be 2-ethyl-4,5-dimethylheptane
 
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The longest chain follows the "upwards branch" and has 8 atoms.
 
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i get it now. thank you
 
The correct answer is C.
 
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woops that was a typo in the original post. The answer key has it listed as C
 

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