What is a more substituted carbon from a less substituted carbon? What does substituted mean?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
May 16, 2016

It just means that there are a different number of non-hydrogen groups on a particular atom. Below, (1) is a tertiary (3∘), (2) is a secondary (2∘), and (3) is a primary (1∘) central carbon.

(1) (2) (3)

The highlighted carbon is currently being considered the "central" carbon.

Simply put...

  • Since isobutane (1) has one more atom or group attached to the central carbon than propane (2), it is more substituted.
  • Since propane (2) has one more atom or group attached to the central carbon than ethane (3), it is more substituted.
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