What is the correct IUPAC name for the compound with the molecular formula $C_3{H}_{8}N$?

• A. 2-aminopropane
• B. $N$-methylmethanamine
• C. 1-aminopropane
• D. Propan-1-amine

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula given: C\_3H\_8N. This indicates the compound contains 3 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, and 1 nitrogen atom, suggesting it is an amine derived from propane.
2. Determine the longest carbon chain containing the amine group. Since there are 3 carbons, the parent hydrocarbon is propane.
3. Number the carbon chain to give the amine group the lowest possible number. The amine group (-NH\_2) is treated as a substituent named 'amine' and should be assigned the lowest locant.
4. Name the compound by combining the parent alkane name with the position and suffix for the amine group. For an amine on the first carbon of propane, the correct IUPAC name is 'propan-1-amine'.
5. Avoid using older or less preferred naming conventions such as '2-aminopropane' or 'N-methylmethanamine' for this compound, as the IUPAC system prefers the suffix '-amine' with locants indicating the position on the carbon chain.