Quick question on IUPAC organic naming

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the IUPAC naming of an organic compound, specifically focusing on the identification of the longest carbon chain and the correct nomenclature for the compound in question. The scope includes theoretical aspects of organic chemistry naming conventions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the compound should be named 4-ethyl-1-heptanol, believing the longest parent chain has eight carbons.
  • Another participant argues that if the longest parent chain has eight carbons, the correct name would be octanol, and suggests that the longest chain is actually six carbons, leading to the base name hexanol.
  • A third participant questions the claim about the longest chain being six carbons, explaining their counting method and asserting that they count seven carbon atoms based on their interpretation of the structure.
  • A subsequent post clarifies the representation of the carbon-oxygen bond in the structure, which may influence the counting of carbon atoms.
  • Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

    Participants express differing views on the identification of the longest carbon chain, with no consensus reached on the correct nomenclature for the compound.

    Contextual Notes

    The discussion highlights potential confusion regarding the counting of carbon atoms in the structure, which may depend on interpretations of the molecular representation.

RoboNerd
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Hi everyone. I was bashing my head against this compound.

I thought that the correct name for it was 4-ethyl-1-heptanol since apparently the longest parent chain has eight carbons.

Could anyone please advise if my answer is correct, and if not, what I did wrong?

Thanks in advance
 
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If the longest parent chain has eight carbons, it would be octanol. Heptanol suggests seven carbons on the longest parent chain. While there are eight carbons total, the longest chain is six carbons, so the base name would be hexanol.
 
Ygggdrasil said:
While there are eight carbons total, the longest chain is six carbons, so the base name would be hexanol.

How is that true? I start at the beginning of the line next to the hydroxyl group. The beginning of the line, that point, where it meets the hydroxyl, I count it as one Carbon atom {I need to have C-OH}. Then, I move up through the lines, counting each "bump" as a single atom. I continue on towards the last point of the line towards the top-right... which would make me count seven points total, not 6
 
The line next to the hydroxyl group represents a C-O bond with an oxygen atom at one end and a carbon atom at the other end.
 
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Ahh ok. Thanks a lot for clearing that up!
 

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