Chemistry Question-Organic Naming!?

Susan G · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 10:15 PM

Why is there such thing as 3-ethylhexane or 3-ethylpentane and not 2-ethylhexane or 2-ethylpentane? Why are they not possible?

Norrie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 10:15 PM

Because, 2-ethylhexane is actually 3-methylheptane...
and 2-ethylpentane is 3-methylhexane.
(In each case the CH2 of the C2-CH3 group is considered part of the main heptane and hexane chains).

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