Alcohols Phenols and EthershardNUMERICAL

Consider the synthesis of an ether by reacting sodium isopropoxide with methyl iodide. In the correcAlcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

Question

Consider the synthesis of an ether by reacting sodium isopropoxide with methyl iodide. In the correct IUPAC nomenclature of the resulting major organic product, what is the specific locant number assigned to the methoxy substituent on the main parent carbon chain?

Answer: 2

💡 Solution & Explanation

Sodium isopropoxide ($(CH_3)_2CH-O^- Na^+$) attacks methyl iodide ($CH_3I$) via $S_N2$ to displace iodide, forming isopropyl methyl ether. The structure is $CH_3-CH(OCH_3)-CH_3$. The longest carbon chain is propane (3 carbons). The methoxy group is attached to the central carbon. Therefore, the IUPAC name is 2-methoxypropane, and the locant is 2.

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