Question

Give the IUPAC name of the lowest molecular weight alkane that contains a quaternary carbon.

Answer 1

methane......................

Answer 2

Answer:

2,2-dimethyl propane.

Explanation:

A quaternary carbon is a carbon that is attached to four other carbon groups. Thus, quaternary carbon atoms can be only found in the hydrocarbons that have at least five carbon atoms. These carbon atoms can occur only in branched alkanes, and not in the linear alkanes, primary carbon or a secondary carbon.

Thus, the lowest molecular weight alkane that contains a quaternary carbon is 2,2-dimethyl propane.