What is the name of parent chain of the following compound?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Hexane
To determine the name of the parent chain for the compound shown in the image, we must follow the systematic nomenclature rules established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). For an alkane, which is a hydrocarbon containing only single bonds, the first and most crucial step is to identify the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms. This longest chain serves as the fundamental basis, or parent, for the compound’s name.
The image displays a skeletal structure, a common shorthand in organic chemistry where each vertex and each endpoint of a line represents a carbon atom. Hydrogen atoms are not shown but are understood to be present to give each carbon a total of four bonds. To find the parent chain, we must trace all possible continuous paths of carbon atoms from one end of the molecule to another and count the number of carbons in each path.
Upon examining the structure, we can trace several potential chains. For instance, a path straight across the middle section of the molecule would only contain four carbons. However, we must find the absolute longest path. Let’s trace a path starting from the top-leftmost carbon atom, moving along the upper portion of the structure to the top-rightmost carbon. Counting each vertex along this path reveals a continuous chain of six carbon atoms. Similarly, tracing a path from the bottom-left end to the bottom-right end also yields a six-carbon chain. Exploring other possibilities, such as a path from the top-left to the bottom-right, confirms that the maximum length is consistently six carbons. No longer continuous chain can be found within the molecule.
Since the longest continuous chain contains six carbon atoms, the parent name is derived from the Greek prefix for six, which is “hex-“. Because the molecule is an alkane, its name must end with the suffix “-ane”. Combining the prefix and the suffix, we arrive at the name “Hexane” for the parent chain.
