Question

IUPAC name of the following compound is

a) 2-nitropropane
b) 2-methyl-2-nitropropane
c) 2-nitrobutane
d) 2-methyl-1-nitropropane

Answer 1

Hint: IUPAC gives us some rules for the naming of organic compounds which can also be referred to as nomenclature of organic compounds. IUPAC stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Complete Step by step solution: IUPAC nomenclature gives us information on writing the name of chemical compounds. There are some general rules for it. To write the name of this compound we have to follow some rules.
Rule 1: Select the chain having larger number of carbon atoms which can be shown as:

This is the longest chain which contains 3 carbon atoms known by propane.
Rule 2: Next step is the numbering of side chains which is not present in this compound.
Rule 3: After this we have to give names to substituents alphabetically like chlorine and bromine then bromo is named first as compared to chloro.
Rule 4: In this compound there are 2 substituents present on the 2nd position of carbon atom; these substituents are nitro and methyl groups. They can also be named in alphabetically order like methyl group is named first then naming is given to nitro group so the naming of this compound would be: 2-methyl-2-nitropropane.

Thus option B is the correct answer.

Note: In order to avoid long and tedious names in normal communication, the official recommendations for naming IUPAC are not always followed in practice except when a compound has to be given an unambiguous and absolute definition. Sometimes IUPAC names may be simpler than older names as with ethanol rather than ethyl alcohol.