Chapter 3.14, Problem 15P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

IUPAC name of the given compound, from which $\text{β-vetivone}$ is derived, is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

A compound in which two rings share one carbon atom is named as $\text{spiro[n1}\text{.n2]alkane}$ where $\text{n1 and n2}$ are the number of carbon atoms that are exclusive to each ring and are listed in the increasing order. The alkane suffix is the name of an unbranched alkane with the same number of atoms as the total carbon atoms in the two rings.

If any substituents are present, numbering starts in the smaller ring, adjacent to the spiro carbon. Numbering is done in a direction away from the spiro carbon, around the ring and through the spiro carbon atom to the larger ring.

Naming and numbering of substituents then follows the same rules as for substituted alkanes.