What are derived names? [closed]








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Q)The **derived** name of (CH3)4C is


A)Tetramethylmethane 


B)2,2-Dimethylpropane


C)Neopentane


D)None of these


The answer was A.


What is a derived name?Never heard of it in any book.


Thanks




There are (were) three main nomenclature systems used for naming organic compounds:


* **Common Name (or trivial name)**. Under this convention this molecule is neopentane. For alkanes, this naming system is based on the positioning of methyl substituents, and gives rise to the iso-, sec-, neo- namiong prefixes.
* **Derived Name**. Who uses this method these days???? This system identifies the central carbon atom which has the most carbon groups attached, and then names the groups as a prefix, and ends the name with 'methane'. The formula are often written with the central carbon unit in square brackets. You may still see derived names on MSDS/SDS under the 'Other Names' section. Under this system this molecule is tetramethylmethane. I can think of more important things to teach you in class if this is what you are learning.
* **IUPAC Name**
This is the accepted naming convention in use today, which allows for retained names, which usually have their origins in the trivial naming system. Its naming system is based on a systematic framework and is used universally. In older texts (pre 1970s), it was known as the Geneva system or congress. Under this convention, this molecule is 2,2-dimethylpropane.


I can't even find any decent references for you at this point, but will update if I find some.


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