Step 1: Identify the ether functional group in the structure. An ether is characterized by an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups. In the given structure, the oxygen atom is located in the middle of the chain, connecting two hydrocarbon chains.
Step 2: Determine the longest continuous carbon chain on either side of the oxygen atom. Count the number of carbons in each chain to identify the parent chains. In this case, there are 4 carbons on the left side and 3 carbons on the right side of the oxygen atom.
Step 3: Name each alkyl group attached to the oxygen atom. The alkyl group with 4 carbons is named 'butyl,' and the alkyl group with 3 carbons is named 'propyl.'
Step 4: Combine the names of the alkyl groups in alphabetical order, followed by the word 'ether.' Since 'butyl' comes after 'propyl' alphabetically, the systematic name will start with 'propyl' and then 'butyl.'
Step 5: Write the systematic name as 'propyl butyl ether,' ensuring proper naming conventions are followed for ethers.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ethers
Ethers are a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They have the general formula R-O-R', where R and R' represent hydrocarbon chains. Ethers are commonly used as solvents and in the synthesis of various organic compounds due to their relatively low reactivity.
Systematic naming in organic chemistry follows the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) rules, which provide a standardized method for naming compounds. For ethers, the naming convention typically involves identifying the longest carbon chain attached to the oxygen and naming it as an alkane, followed by the name of the other alkyl group as a substituent, prefixed with 'alkoxy'.
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the case of ethers, the ether functional group (-O-) is crucial for determining the compound's reactivity and properties. Understanding functional groups is essential for predicting how a compound will behave in chemical reactions.