How do you represent "2-methyl, 3-ethylnonane"?

2 Answers
Mar 15, 2017

See below for answer:

Explanation:

Structural formula:(Hydrogen is attached to complete Every carbon's valency {but I've not shown here as it is understood, so don't get confused)

color(white)(a.aaaaaaaaaaa)"CH"_2-"CH"_3
color(white)(aaaaaaaaaaaaa)|
color(white)(aa.aa)"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"
color(white)(aaaaaaaaa)|
color(white)(aaaaaaaa.)"CH"_3

Condensed Structural formula:

"CH"_3-"CH"("CH"_3)-"CH"("CH"_2-"CH"_3)-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_3

Mar 15, 2017

C_12H_26

Explanation:

Draw the alkane parent, the nonane:

"H"_3"CCH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3

Single out the carbons on the chain that require substitution: "C"_2 and "C"_3:

"H"_3"C"color(red)("C")"H"_2color(red)("C")"H"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3

Substitute these positions with "methyl" and "ethyl" groups:

"H"_3"C"color(red)("C")"H"("CH"_3)color(red)("C")"H"("CH"_2"CH"_3)"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3

Of course, you could condense this a bit; it is important to get the condensed formula right, i.e. "C"_12"H"_26, i.e. this follows the general formula, C_nH_("2n+2"), a saturated alkane as required.