Priority of Alphabetic order vs Lowest locant

I am confused about usage priority of lowest locant and alphabetical order rule(s)


For example :


3-ethyl 4,4 - dimethyl hexane


4-ethyl 3,3- dimethyl hexane


Which is considered correct (*or preferred*) **IUPAC** name?




Lowest locant has the priority over alphabetical order while numbering. But when writing name, we write according to alphabetical order. So 4-ethyl-3,3-dimethylhexane is the correct answer. One more thing, we don't consider the prefix 'di' on 'dimethyl' while deciding alphabetical order of the name.


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