How do you represent #"2-methyl, 3-ethylnonane"#?

Question

Madison Anderson · Accepted Answer

See below for answer:

Structure: (Hydrogen is attached to complete the valency of each carbon; however, I have not shown this as it is understood, so please do not become confused) #color(white)(a.aaaaaaaaaaa)"CH"_2-"CH"_3# #color(white)(aaaaaaaaaaaaa)|# #color(white)(aa.aa)"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"-"C"# #color(white)(aaaaaaaaa)|# #color(white)(aaaaaaaa.)"CH"_3# The simplified structural formula #"CH"_3-"CH"("CH"_3)-"CH"("CH"_2-"CH"_3)-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_2-"CH"_3#

Lucy Alessi · Answer

#C_12H_26#

Sketch the nonane, the parent alkane:

#"H"_3"CCH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3#

Single out the carbons on the chain that require substitution: #"C"_2# and #"C"_3#:

#"H"_3"C"color(red)("C")"H"_2color(red)("C")"H"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3#

Substitute these positions with #"methyl"# and #"ethyl"# groups:

#"H"_3"C"color(red)("C")"H"("CH"_3)color(red)("C")"H"("CH"_2"CH"_3)"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3#

Of course, you could condense this a bit; it is important to get the condensed formula right, i.e. #"C"_12"H"_26#, i.e. this follows the general formula, #C_nH_("2n+2")#, a saturated alkane as required.

Ellie Adams · Answer

undefined 2-Methyl, 3-ethylnonane is represented as follows:
CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3