Organic Chemistry - Hydrocarbons: Branched Chain Alkanes

Question 1

branched chain alkanes

Answer 1

• Branched-chain alkanes are alkanes that contain only C and H (with only C-C single bonds) but are not linear. They contain branches with groups such as methyl, ethyl,… coming off the main branch of the molecule.

Question 2

naming branched alkanes

Answer 2

• Name of a branched-chain alkane is made up of two parts: …
• Name the longest alkane carbon chain (stem) first.
  Identify the branches (side chains).
• Name each branch (side chain). …
• Number the carbon atoms making up the stem so that the branches have the lowest possible numbers.

Question 3

naming branched chain alkanes

Answer 3

• find the longest continuous chain of carbons to establish the parent name
• identify the substituents on the longest chain
• use appropriate prefixes to indicate more than one of a particular substitutent