How do we name (HO)H_2C-CH(CH_3)CH(OH)CH_2CH(CH_3)CH_3(HO)H2C−CH(CH3)CH(OH)CH2CH(CH3)CH3 unambiguously?
1 Answer
Explanation:
Clearly it's a diol derivative, with the longest chain 6 carbons long. We number FROM the primary alcohol:
I think this is unambiguous and correct, but I might have broken some arcane rule. There are THREE chiral centres in the molecule as given. Can you identify their positions?