Question

What is the name of this compound?

Answer 1

The IUPAC name is `N"-methylbutanamide"`.

Explanation:

Perhaps it will between easier to recognize the formula if we reverse the chain direction.

Step 1. Identify the functional group

A `"-C(=O)-N"` group ( a carbonyl group attached to a nitrogen atom) is an amide

Step 2. Write the IUPAC name of the amide

• We base the root name on the longest chain that includes the carbonyl group (four carbons = butane)
• Form the amide name by replacing the final -e in the name of the alkane with the suffix -amide (butane -e + -amide = butanamide)
• Identify and locate the substituents (phenyl group on `"N"` =
  (`N`)-phenylbutanamide)