Why would an organic name such as #"1,2-dimethylethane"# be deemed inappropriate whereas #"1,2-dichloroethane"# is legitimate?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 6, 2017

Well, look at the name....#"1,2-dimethylethane"#

Explanation:

We take the ethane root....#H_3CH_2stackrel(1)C-stackrel(2)CH_2CH_3#...and substitute according to the name....but instead of a 2-carbon branch, we are left with a straight 4-carbon chain...#C_4H_10#...the which of course is already known as #"butane"#... And thus, say, #"1,2-dichloroethane"# is a valid name for a real molecule....#"1,2-dimethylethane"# is necessarily #"butane"#. When naming organic structures, we always identify the LONGEST carbon chain, here a four-carbon chain, and name the structure appropriately as a butane derivative....

Do you see from where I am coming....do you agree?

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