Chemistry · General chemistry II · Worked example
Name a haloalkane
Name BrCH₂CH(CH₃)₂.
Find the longest chain
The longest carbon chain has three carbons, running from the carbon with the bromine to one of the end methyl groups: propane.
Number the chain
From the bromine end the groups are at 1 (bromo) and 2 (methyl); from the other end, at 2 and 3. Numbering from the bromine end gives the lower numbers.
Write the name
Bromo comes before methyl alphabetically.
Result
1-bromo-2-methylpropane.
Your turn
Name CH₃CHClCH₃.
Show the answer and explanation
2-chloropropane.
The chlorine is on the middle carbon of a three-carbon chain, carbon 2 from either end.
Keep exploring
Set the target 2-methyl-1-bromopropane on the drawing: it describes the structure, but the groups aren’t in alphabetical order.
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