What is the difference between methylpropane and dimethylpropane
Answers
Explanation:
The concept of nomenclature is to find an unambiguous name for a structure.
For simple hydrocarbons or alkanes one of the main rules is that the parent name should contain the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms.
Substituents get a locant (a number) so we know where the extra group is located. Unfortunetely in the question there are no locants. But lets try:
In the first example ‘methylpropane’ the methyl has to be in the middle of the propane chain. hence 2-methylpropane (If the methyl would be at position 1 it would be a butane.)
Using the same arguments for dimethylethane it can’t be a correct name. Regardless where you put the methyl substituent on a ethane chain you will get at propane. So when people ask to draw the structure of dimethylethane we chemist get confused and can only guess what the OP is trying to describe. is it Butane or 2-methylpropane? We don’t know but in the latter case it appears to be the same structure.