Question

How can I draw the following carboxylic acids: butanoic acid, 2-methylpentanoic acid, 3,5-dimethylheptanoic acid?

Answer 1

Simply use the IUPAC naming method. Also, feel free to go to youtube and search Leah4Sci. She has excellent videos for organic chem. Used them myself.

Explanation:

First of all, look at the root and draw the bond line accordingly. Secondly, you know it's acid so be sure to add the double bound oxygen along with the hydroxide. Finally, add in any substituents later on.

For the first example, there are 4 carbons.
- 1 double bound Oxygen along with a hydroxide at carbon number 1

The second example.
- There are 5 carbons.
- 1 double bound Oxygen along with a Hydroxide at Carbon number 1.
- At carbon number 2 there is a methyl group (1 Carbon)

The third example
- There are 7 carbons.
- 1 double bound Oxygen along with a Hydroxide at Carbon number 1.
- At carbon number 3 and 5 there is a methyl group (1 Carbon)

Remember, the double bound Oxygen along with a Hydroxide always is at Carbon number 1