Provide the IUPAC name for the following aromatic compound by filling in the missing blanks [A-C] with substituent numbers and the parent.

Answer

IUPAC Naming: 5-sec-butyl-2-ethylphenol

🔬 IUPAC Naming of Aromatic Compounds

🧪 Objective

To assign the correct IUPAC name to a substituted aromatic compound containing:

  • A hydroxy group (–OH)
  • An ethyl group
  • A sec-butyl group

🔍 Step-by-Step Naming

1. Identify the Parent Compound

The molecule is based on phenol, which is benzene with an –OH group attached. The hydroxyl group takes priority and is assigned position 1.

2. Number the Ring

Number the ring to give the lowest locants to substituents. The optimal numbering is:

  • –OH at position 1
  • Ethyl group at position 2
  • sec-Butyl group at position 5

3. Alphabetical Order of Substituents

Substituents are listed alphabetically (ignoring prefixes like sec- and tert-):

  • Ethyl comes before sec-butyl

✅ Final IUPAC Name

5-sec-butyl-2-ethylphenol

🧠 Summary Table

Feature Detail
Parent Compound Phenol
Main Functional Group Hydroxy group (–OH) at C1
Substituent 1 Ethyl at C2
Substituent 2 sec-Butyl at C5
Final Name 5-sec-butyl-2-ethylphenol

📘 Conclusion

  • Phenol is used as the base name due to the –OH group on the aromatic ring.
  • The substituents are numbered to give the lowest possible locants.
  • Alphabetical order governs the naming sequence of substituents.

Therefore, the correct IUPAC name is: 5-sec-butyl-2-ethylphenol.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *