Question 26.3: Writing the Formula to Correspond to the Name of an Alkane H......

Analyze
The name tells us that the compound is a heptane with two substituent groups, tert-butyl and methyl, positioned at carbons 4 and 2, respectively.

Solve
Because the compound is a heptane, the longest chain of C atoms is seven.

C—C—C—C—C—C—C

Starting on the left, we attach a methyl group to the second C atom.

Next, we attach a tert-butyl group to the fourth C atom.

Finally, we add the remaining hydrogen atoms to give each C atom four bonds.

Assess
To check the answer, we use the nomenclature rules given on page 1211 to name the structure we’ve drawn. We should obtain the name that was given.