oChem Q

[MarisaPharmD]

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I'm wondering if anyone has a mnemonic to remember the iso-propyl,butly,pentyl; sec butyl , tert-butyl..I'm having trouble remembering those..thanks.

 

[omnione]

Are you having trouble correlating structures to names? If so, then my advice to you is to make flashcards and/or draw the structures out while correlating to the name. Do note the significance of the sec-, iso-, tert- prefixes as each of these prefixes have the same meaning over different carbon length chains.

 

[MarisaPharmD]

Well I understand the Iso is bonded to 2 methyls at the terminal, and neo is 3 methyls at the terminal, but I'm not understanding how the tert and sec exactly come into play.

 

[omnione]

Well I understand the Iso is bonded to 2 methyls at the terminal, and neo is 3 methyls at the terminal, but I'm not understanding how the tert and sec exactly come into play.

tert- = tertiary connection
sec- = secondary connection.

That is, a tert- chain will have your carbon chain arranged where the first carbon of said chain (connecting to the rest of the organic compound) will be a tertiary carbon. Likewise, a sec-chain will have the first carbon being a secondary carbon.

For tert-butyl, notice how the carbon that is connected to the rest of the structure is a tertiary carbon with three methyl groups attached = 4 carbons = butyl group

For sec-butyl, notice how that same first carbon is only a secondary carbon where there's a methyl and ethyl group attached to make the four carbon connector.

This same concept applies to chains with more than four carbons. Therefore, that's why I said that it's better to learn the concept than to memorize stuff you may not understand.😉

 

[WhiteSnows]

I'm wondering if anyone has a mnemonic to remember the iso-propyl,butly,pentyl; sec butyl , tert-butyl..I'm having trouble remembering those..thanks.

There is only 1 question Naming Iso on Chemistry.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

I don't know any personally, but try doing a google search. I have found some good mnemonics that way. Definitely being able to understand though is better than having a mnemonic. If you have too many, you start forgetting what goes to what.

 

[MarisaPharmD]

Do they give a periodic table?
If not, do they give masses or anything?

 

[omnione]

Do they give a periodic table?
If not, do they give masses or anything?

You don't get one, but the exam will provide all the necessary information to complete a calculation.