what is the correct structure for 2-ethyl-butane?
Is this correct?
CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3
Underneath the the first ch2 they should be ch3 underneath it/
3 answers
correct.
oops.
No, what you have proposed with the CH3 below is 2-methylbutane EXCEPT that you have a 5-valent C on C2. If you want 2-ethylbutane you want a CH3CH2 (or C2H5) below the second CH2. But when you attach the C2H5 group you must remove one of the H atoms.
You can write it this way.
CH3CH(C2H5)CH2CH3
No, what you have proposed with the CH3 below is 2-methylbutane EXCEPT that you have a 5-valent C on C2. If you want 2-ethylbutane you want a CH3CH2 (or C2H5) below the second CH2. But when you attach the C2H5 group you must remove one of the H atoms.
You can write it this way.
CH3CH(C2H5)CH2CH3
I agree with DrBob, I was too hasty.