What is the correct structure for 3-methylbut-2-ene?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Organic Chemistry Exam. Review key concepts with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed explanations. Get prepared for your exam success!

3-methylbut-2-ene is an organic compound that features a double bond and a specific branching pattern. To interpret the name "3-methylbut-2-ene," we break it down as follows:

  • The "but" prefix indicates that the longest continuous carbon chain contains four carbon atoms (butane).
  • The "2-ene" suffix indicates that there is a double bond between the second and third carbon atoms in the chain.

  • The "3-methyl" indicates that there is a methyl (–CH3) group attached to the third carbon of the main chain.

Given this information, the structure of 3-methylbut-2-ene can be constructed as follows: You need to have a four-carbon chain (butane) where the second carbon is part of a double bond, and the third carbon has a methyl substituent.

Starting with the four-carbon backbone:

  1. Place the double bond between carbons 2 and 3, which gives you the structure:

C1 – C2 = C3 – C4

  1. Add the methyl group to the third carbon (C3) to fulfill the "3-methyl" part. The resulting structure should have the methyl group branching off
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