Draw the skeletal structure of 3,3-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethyl)-6-(1-methylpropyl)decane.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the parent chain: The parent chain is 'decane', which means it has 10 carbon atoms in a continuous chain.
2. Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain: Start numbering from the end closest to the first substituent to ensure the lowest possible numbers for the substituents.
3. Locate and attach the substituents: At carbon 3, attach two methyl groups (3,3-dimethyl). At carbon 7, attach an isopropyl group (7-(1-methylethyl)). At carbon 6, attach a sec-butyl group (6-(1-methylpropyl)).
4. Draw the skeletal structure: Use zigzag lines to represent the carbon chain and lines branching off for the substituents. Each vertex represents a carbon atom, and each line represents a bond.
5. Verify the structure: Ensure that all carbon atoms have four bonds and that the substituents are correctly placed according to the IUPAC name.

Key Concepts

Skeletal Structures

Skeletal structures are simplified representations of organic molecules that depict the arrangement of carbon atoms and their bonds without showing all hydrogen atoms explicitly. In these diagrams, carbon atoms are represented by vertices or ends of lines, while hydrogen atoms are implied based on carbon's tetravalency. Understanding how to read and draw skeletal structures is essential for visualizing complex organic compounds.

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method for naming organic chemical compounds based on their structure. It provides rules for identifying the longest carbon chain, substituents, and their positions. In the case of 3,3-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethyl)-6-(1-methylpropyl)decane, recognizing the significance of prefixes and locants is crucial for accurately constructing the skeletal structure.

Substituents and Branching

Substituents are groups of atoms that replace hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon chain, affecting the molecule's properties and reactivity. In the given compound, 3,3-dimethyl and 7-(1-methylethyl)-6-(1-methylpropyl) indicate specific branching points on the decane backbone. Understanding how to identify and represent these substituents is vital for accurately drawing the skeletal structure.