On an exam, students were shown the structure of an alkane and asked to give the IUPAC name of the compound. Of the following answers which were given, which corresponds to the correct IUPAC name of a real compound?
A) 2-ethyl-2-methylbutane
B) 2,2-dimethylbutane
C) 2,2-diethylbutane
D) none of them

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The IUPAC name for the structure shown is 2,2-dimethylbutane, which corresponds to choice B. Choice A (2-ethyl-2-methylbutane) and choice C (2,2-diethylbutane) have too many carbons for the given structure and do not match the IUPAC rules for naming alkanes. Choice D is not a valid option as there is a correct answer present.

On an Exam, Students Were Shown the Structure of an Alkane