What is the name of this alkane?
The Structure of the Alkane
The image provided, mc012-1.jpg, shows the structure of an alkane. This alkane consists of a cyclohexane ring with two substituents attached to it. The alkane is named as 1-ethyl,3-methylcyclohexane.
Understanding Alkanes
Alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon compound that consists of single bonds between carbon atoms. They are also known as saturated hydrocarbons because they contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible. Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. These compounds are commonly found in petroleum and natural gas.
Naming Alkanes
Alkanes are named based on the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain and the substituents attached to it. The substituents are designated by prefixes such as methyl (CH3-), ethyl (C2H5-), propyl (C3H7-), and so on. The carbon atoms in the main chain are numbered sequentially to locate the substituents.
1-Ethyl,3-Methylcyclohexane
In the case of 1-ethyl,3-methylcyclohexane, the name indicates that there is an ethyl group attached to the first carbon atom and a methyl group attached to the third carbon atom of the cyclohexane ring. The prefix "cyclo" signifies that the carbon atoms are arranged in a cyclic structure.
What is the name of this alkane?
The name of this alkane is 1-ethyl,3-methylcyclohexane.