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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Determine the IUPAC name of the compound with the molecular formula C6H14\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14} that contains two tertiary carbon atoms.

A

2-Methylpentane

B

2,3-Dimethylbutane

C

2,2-Dimethylbutane

D

n-Hexane

Step-by-Step Solution

Based upon the number of carbon atoms attached to a carbon atom, it is termed as primary (1°), secondary (2°), tertiary (3°) or quaternary (4°) . A tertiary (3°) carbon is attached to three other carbon atoms.

Let us evaluate the structures of the given isomers of C6H14\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}:

  1. 2-Methylpentane (CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH3\text{CH}_3\text{-CH(CH}_3\text{)-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_3): The C-2 atom is attached to three carbons, so it has exactly one 3° carbon.
  2. 2,3-Dimethylbutane (CH3-CH(CH3)-CH(CH3)-CH3\text{CH}_3\text{-CH(CH}_3\text{)-CH(CH}_3\text{)-CH}_3): Both the C-2 and C-3 atoms are attached to three other carbon atoms . Thus, it contains two 3° carbons.
  3. 2,2-Dimethylbutane (CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3\text{CH}_3\text{-C(CH}_3)_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_3): The C-2 atom is attached to four carbons, making it a quaternary (4°) carbon . It contains zero 3° carbons.
  4. n-Hexane (CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3\text{CH}_3\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_2\text{-CH}_3): This is a continuous straight-chain alkane containing only primary (1°) and secondary (2°) carbon atoms .

Therefore, 2,3-Dimethylbutane is the correct compound.

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