What is the IUPAC name for the compound with the structure CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-COOH?

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Q: What is the IUPAC name for the compound with the structure CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-COOH?

Solution: The longest chain has four carbons, and the methyl group is on the second carbon, hence it is 2-Methylbutanoic acid.

Steps: 5

Step 1: Identify the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms in the structure. In this case, the longest chain has four carbon atoms.
Step 2: Count the number of carbon atoms in the longest chain. There are four carbons, so the base name is 'butanoic acid' because it is a four-carbon carboxylic acid.
Step 3: Look for any branches (substituents) on the longest chain. There is a methyl group (CH3) attached to the second carbon of the chain.
Step 4: Number the carbon atoms in the longest chain starting from the end closest to the carboxylic acid group (COOH). This means the carboxylic acid is on carbon 1, the second carbon has the methyl group.
Step 5: Combine the information from steps 2 and 3. The compound is named '2-Methylbutanoic acid' because the methyl group is on the second carbon of the butanoic acid.