What are some common mistakes students make when naming Alkanes?

1 Answer
Nov 13, 2015

Not finding/recognizing the longest chain.

Explanation:

Consider #H_3C-CH_2CH_2CH_2CH(CH_2CH_2CH_3)CH_3#

Would you name this as a hexane? In fact this is not the longest chain, and an examiner would be quite justified in deducting marks from such an answer. The carbon chain of any alkane goes in out, in out, shakes it all about all over the shop. You should draw any organic molecule in such a way that symmetry is maximized, and connectivity and chain length is appreciated.