Name the following compound.

• A. 3-fluoro-1-ethylpentane
• B. 3-fluoro-1-ethylcyclopentane
• C. 1-ethyl-3-fluorocyclopentane
• D. 1-ethyl-4-fluorocyclopentane

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main structure of the compound. In this case, the main structure is a cyclopentane ring, which is a five-membered carbon ring.
2. Determine the substituents attached to the cyclopentane ring. Here, we have an ethyl group (CH2CH3) and a fluorine atom (F) attached to the ring.
3. Number the carbon atoms in the cyclopentane ring to give the substituents the lowest possible numbers. Start numbering from the carbon with the ethyl group, as it is alphabetically prioritized over fluorine.
4. Assign the numbers to the substituents based on the numbering of the ring. The ethyl group is on carbon 1, and the fluorine atom is on carbon 3.
5. Combine the information to name the compound. The name is constructed by listing the substituents in alphabetical order followed by the name of the main structure. Thus, the compound is named 1-ethyl-3-fluorocyclopentane.