Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To name the organic compound properly, we must determine the longest continuous carbon chain containing the principal functional groups (hydroxyl groups, ) and assign the lowest possible numbers to these groups.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The approach involves expanding the condensed formula, tracing the longest chain containing both groups, numbering it to give the groups the lowest locants, and naming the substituents alphabetically.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the structure given:
It is a continuous chain from the left: ...
Attached to this last carbon is a group.
The vertical line pointing down to indicates that there is another ethyl group attached to the same carbon.
Starting from the left (methyl end), we trace through the carbons:
C-1:
C-2:
C-3:
C-4:
C-5:
From C-5, we have two identical ethyl groups ( ). One of these groups will form part of the main parent chain, making it C-6 and C-7.
The parent chain is therefore 7 carbons long (Heptane).
The remaining ethyl group on C-5 acts as a substituent.
Now, let's establish the numbering direction.
Numbering from left to right gives the principal functional groups (the two groups) positions 2 and 4.
Numbering from right to left would give the groups positions 4 and 6.
The lowest locant set is (2,4), so we number from left to right.
Substituent: An "ethyl" group at position 5.
Principal functional groups: Two hydroxyl groups "diol" at positions 2 and 4.
Combining these parts: 5-ethyl + heptane + 2,4-diol = 5-Ethylheptane-2,4-diol.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The IUPAC name is 5-Ethylheptane-2,4-diol.