The IUPAC name of CH3CH2CHClCH3 is

  • A. 1-chlorobutane
  • B. 2-chlorobutane
  • C. 3-chlorobutane
  • D. 2-chloropropane

Explanation

The longest chain has four carbons, giving butane, and numbering from the end that puts the chlorine on the lower numbered carbon makes it position 2 rather than position 3. Naming it 3-chlorobutane means numbering from the wrong end, which is the standard error. The rule is always to give substituents the lowest possible locants.

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