Chapter A, Problem A.38P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The IUPAC name that could be used instead of $\text{3-tert-butylhexane}$ is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An alkane is said to be substituted if a hydrogen atom of the alkane is replaced by another atom or group of atoms. In the name of a molecule, the root defines the number of carbon atoms in the longest chain. The names of the substituents and their respective locant numbers show the carbon atoms of the root to which the substituents are attached.

When writing the IPUAC name, if there are two possible roots, then the root is chosen such that it has the maximum number of substituents attached. The root is numbered such that the substituents attached get the lowest locant numbers. First, the substituents are written alphabetically with their respective locant numbers. The name of the root is written at the end. Two numbers are separated by a comma while a number and a word are separated by a hyphen.