Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS

Naming Carboxylic Acids

Organic Chemistry

22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS

Naming Carboxylic Acids

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Problem 3e

Textbook Question

Draw the structure for each of the following:
e. γ-methylcaproic acid

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the parent structure: The name 'γ-methylcaproic acid' indicates that the parent compound is caproic acid, which is the common name for hexanoic acid (a six-carbon carboxylic acid).

Determine the position of the substituent: The Greek letter 'γ' (gamma) refers to the third carbon atom from the carboxylic acid group. This means the methyl group is attached to the third carbon in the chain.

Draw the backbone: Start by drawing a six-carbon chain with a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) at one end. This represents hexanoic acid.

Add the substituent: Place a methyl group (-CH₃) on the γ-carbon (the third carbon from the carboxylic acid group).

Verify the structure: Ensure the chain has six carbons, the carboxylic acid group is at one end, and the methyl group is correctly positioned on the γ-carbon. Confirm that all carbons have the correct number of bonds (four).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). This functional group is responsible for the acidic properties of these compounds. In the case of γ-methylcaproic acid, the carboxylic acid group is located at one end of a carbon chain, which influences its reactivity and physical properties.

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Aliphatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen arranged in straight or branched chains, or in non-aromatic rings. γ-Methylcaproic acid is derived from caproic acid, which is a six-carbon straight-chain alkane. Understanding the structure of aliphatic hydrocarbons is essential for drawing the correct molecular structure of the acid.

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method for naming organic chemical compounds. It provides rules for naming based on the structure and functional groups present in the molecule. For γ-methylcaproic acid, the 'γ' indicates the position of the methyl group on the carbon chain, which is crucial for accurately representing the compound's structure.

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