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Ch.21 - Organic Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 76c

Draw the structure of each aldehyde or ketone. c. 2-methylbutanal

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Identify the parent chain: The name '2-methylbutanal' indicates that the parent chain is 'butanal', which is a four-carbon aldehyde.
Determine the position of the substituent: The '2-methyl' indicates a methyl group attached to the second carbon of the butanal chain.
Draw the butanal structure: Start with a four-carbon chain (butane) and add an aldehyde group (\(-CHO\)) at the terminal carbon.
Add the substituent: Attach a methyl group (\(-CH_3\)) to the second carbon of the butanal chain.
Verify the structure: Ensure the aldehyde group is at the end of the chain and the methyl group is on the second carbon, confirming the structure of 2-methylbutanal.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes and ketones are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O). In aldehydes, the carbonyl group is located at the end of the carbon chain, while in ketones, it is found within the chain. This structural difference influences their chemical properties and reactivity.
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IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method for naming organic chemical compounds. For aldehydes, the suffix '-al' is used, while for ketones, '-one' is applied. The name reflects the longest carbon chain containing the functional group, and substituents are indicated with prefixes and their positions on the chain.
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Structural Representation

Structural representation involves illustrating the arrangement of atoms within a molecule. For aldehydes and ketones, this includes showing the carbonyl group and the carbon skeleton. Understanding how to draw these structures is essential for visualizing molecular interactions and predicting chemical behavior.
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