the n in n-molecule name

[Melomare17]

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what is the n mean in like n-pentane or n-butane??

 

[chiddler]

what is the n mean in like n-pentane or n-butane??

neo

straight chain hydrocarbon.

 

[Melomare17]

neo

straight chain hydrocarbon.

ok thanks!

 

[phltz]

neo

straight chain hydrocarbon.

n-<blank>ane does mean a straight chain hydrocarbon, but it does not stand for "neo". I think it may stand for "normal".

Neo-pentane and n-pentane are totally different molecules. n-pentane has a straight carbon chain, whereas neo-pentane has a quaternary carbon surrounded by four methyl groups.

 

[Melomare17]

n-<blank>ane does mean a straight chain hydrocarbon, but it does not stand for "neo". I think it may stand for "normal".

Neo-pentane and n-pentane are totally different molecules. n-pentane has a straight carbon chain, whereas neo-pentane has a quaternary carbon surrounded by four methyl groups.

so neo-butane is a tertiary carbon surrounded by 3 methyl groups and 1 H group?

 

[MedPR]

so neo-butane is a tertiary carbon surrounded by 3 methyl groups and 1 H group?

neo-butane doesn't exist. A tertiary carbon surrounded by three methyls is a tert-butyl group.

neo-pentane is a quartenary carbon surrounded by 4 methyl groups, otherwise known as 2,2-dimethylpropane.

 

[Melomare17]

neo-butane doesn't exist. A tertiary carbon surrounded by three methyls is a tert-butyl group.

neo-pentane is a quartenary carbon surrounded by 4 methyl groups, otherwise known as 2,2-dimethylpropane.

ok thanks!

 

[gettheleadout]

Yeah, "neo" is actually the common name prefix after "tert" right? I don't believe I've ever really used it.

 

[chiddler]

neo-butane doesn't exist. A tertiary carbon surrounded by three methyls is a tert-butyl group.

neo-pentane is a quartenary carbon surrounded by 4 methyl groups, otherwise known as 2,2-dimethylpropane.

thanks for the correction.

 

[MedPR]

thanks for the correction.

I didn't know either until that other guy pointed out that n=normal, and not neo.