Why do some people call (H_3C)_4C "neopentane" instead of "dimethyl propane"?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 14, 2017

Because some people (including me!) are a bit old-fashioned.........

Explanation:

(H_3C)_4C, has a molecular formula of C_5H_12, i.e. it is an isomer of pentane. We could call this "dimethylpropane" (am I correct in omitting the numbers, i.e. NOT stating "2,2-dimethylpropane"?), but I think it is easier to call this "neopentane". Such so-called trivial names are recognized by most chemists, and most schemes of nomenclature.

The "neopentyl group" is C_5H_11, e.g. "neopentyl lithium" -= Li^(+)""^(-)CH_2C(CH_3)_3; likewise the "neosilyl group" is (H_3C)_3SiCH_2, i.e. C_4SiH_11..............

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