Select the correct IUPAC name for the following organic substrate: ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_3$

• A. Butane
• B. Pentane
• C. Propane
• D. Hexane

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula of the given compound by counting the number of carbon atoms in the chain. The structure is given as CH\_3-CH\_2-CH\_2-CH\_2-CH\_3, so count each carbon atom in the chain.
2. Determine the longest continuous carbon chain in the molecule. Since the structure is a straight chain with no branches, the longest chain is the entire sequence of carbons.
3. Recall the IUPAC naming convention for alkanes, which is based on the number of carbon atoms in the longest chain: 1 carbon = methane, 2 carbons = ethane, 3 carbons = propane, 4 carbons = butane, 5 carbons = pentane, 6 carbons = hexane, and so on.
4. Match the number of carbons counted in the chain to the corresponding alkane name. Since there are 5 carbons, the correct IUPAC name corresponds to the alkane with 5 carbons.
5. Confirm that there are no branches or functional groups that would change the base name or require additional prefixes or suffixes, ensuring the name is simply the alkane name for the straight chain.