Coding for branched chains
3 marks · EasyA hydrocarbon molecule has a side chain attached to its main carbon chain.
State the code for a side chain with the formula .
State the code for a side chain with the formula .
Explain how the codes for methyl and ethyl relate to the number of carbon atoms in the side chain.
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(a) ethyl
(b) methyl
(c) ‘Meth’ stands for one carbon; ‘eth’ stands for two carbons.
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · Correctly states 'ethyl' for .
B2 (b) · 1 mark · Correctly states 'methyl' for .
B3 (c) · 1 mark · Correctly explains the relationship between code and number of carbons in side chain.
Worked solution
a) is coded as 'ethyl'. b) is coded as 'methyl'. c) The prefixes 'meth' and 'eth' refer to one and two carbons respectively in a side chain. 'Yl' indicates a group attached to the main chain.