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Quizzes > Science

Organic nomenclature quiz: IUPAC alkyl groups

Quick, free IUPAC alkyl groups quiz. Instant feedback and step-by-step answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anahi HernandezUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art cutouts of organic molecules and alkyl chains on dark blue background for free organic chemistry nomenclature quiz

This quiz helps you practice IUPAC alkyl group names, choose the parent chain, and number substituents correctly. Get instant feedback on each question, reinforce hyphen and locant rules, and build skills with alkane naming practice and chemical nomenclature practice. You will also review branching and alphabetical order for substituents.

What is the alkyl group derived from methane?
Ethyl
Methyl
Propyl
Butyl
The methyl group is formed by removing one hydrogen atom from methane, giving CH?. In alkyl nomenclature, the suffix "-ane" is replaced by "-yl," so methane becomes methyl. It is the simplest alkyl substituent. .
Which alkyl group has the molecular formula C2H5?
Butyl
Methyl
Propyl
Ethyl
Ethyl is derived from ethane (C?H?) by removing one hydrogen atom, giving C?H?. The naming convention replaces "-ane" with "-yl," so ethane becomes ethyl. .
What is the molecular formula of the butyl group?
C3H7
C2H5
C4H9
CH3
The butyl group is derived from butane (C?H??) by removing one hydrogen atom, resulting in C?H?. It is a four-carbon alkyl substituent. .
What is the common name for the alkyl group with the structure CH(CH3)2?
sec-Butyl
Isopropyl
n-Propyl
tert-Butyl
The group CH(CH?)? is a three-carbon chain with the substituent on the middle carbon, known as isopropyl (also called 1-methylethyl). It is a common branched C3H7 alkyl group. .
Which alkyl substituent has the structure (CH3)3C-?
Isobutyl
tert-Butyl
sec-Butyl
Neopentyl
The (CH?)?C - group has a central carbon bonded to three methyl groups and one attachment point, known as tert-butyl (or t-butyl). It is a common tertiary alkyl substituent. .
What is the name of the alkyl group (CH3)2CHCH2-?
n-Butyl
Isobutyl
tert-Butyl
sec-Butyl
The substituent (CH?)?CHCH? - is commonly called isobutyl, corresponding to the IUPAC name 2-methylpropyl. It is a branched four-carbon alkyl group. .
Identify the alkyl group with the structure CH2C(CH3)3.
sec-Pentyl
Neopentyl
tert-Pentyl
Isopentyl
The structure CH?C(CH?)? is called neopentyl (2,2-dimethylpropyl). It features a quaternary carbon adjacent to the point of attachment. .
What is the IUPAC name for the sec-butyl group CH3CH2CH(CH3)-?
1-Methylpropyl
2-Butyl
Butan-1-yl
Butan-2-yl
Sec-butyl corresponds to the IUPAC name butan-2-yl, indicating substitution at the second carbon of a four-carbon chain. It is more systematic than common names like 1-methylpropyl. .
Which alkyl group corresponds to the IUPAC name 2-methylpropyl?
Neopentyl
tert-Butyl
Isobutyl
sec-Butyl
The name 2-methylpropyl indicates a three-carbon chain with a methyl substituent on the second carbon, which is the common name isobutyl. It is a branched C4H9 group. .
Determine the IUPAC name for the substituent with the structure CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH2-.
3-Methylbutyl
2-Methylbutyl
2-Ethylpropyl
1-Methylbutyl
The substituent CH?CH(CH?)CH?CH? - has a four-carbon chain with a methyl on carbon 2, giving the IUPAC name 2-methylbutyl. It is also known commonly as sec-amyl. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Alkyl Group Structures -

    Identify and draw straight-chain and branched alkyl radicals by examining carbon skeletons and bonding patterns.

  2. Apply IUPAC Naming Rules -

    Use official organic chemistry nomenclature standards to assign the correct systematic names to various alkyl substituents.

  3. Differentiate Structural Isomers -

    Distinguish between constitutional isomers of alkyl groups by comparing connectivity and skeletal branching.

  4. Name Branched Alkyl Substituents -

    Systematically break down and name complex branched alkyl groups using locants and multiplying prefixes.

  5. Predict and Correct Common Errors -

    Anticipate typical naming mistakes in organic nomenclature and refine answers for improved quiz performance.

  6. Reinforce Nomenclature Confidence -

    Evaluate quiz results to solidify understanding of alkyl group naming conventions and boost overall naming proficiency.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Longest”Chain Selection -

    Always identify the parent hydrocarbon by choosing the longest continuous carbon chain, per IUPAC guidelines (IUPAC Gold Book). For example, between a five”carbon straight chain and a branched six”carbon chain, select the six”carbon backbone to determine the base alkane name.

  2. Lowest”Locant Numbering -

    Number the main chain so that substituents receive the lowest possible set of locants (IUPAC A”2 rule). If two numbering directions give the same first locant, compare the next substituent locants to decide, ensuring minimum numbers overall.

  3. Common Alkyl Substituents -

    Memorize basic groups like methyl ( - CH₃), ethyl ( - C₂H₅), n-propyl vs. isopropyl ( - CH(CH₃)₂), and butyl isomers. A handy mnemonic is "Me Et Pr IP Bu" to recall methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, and butyl in order.

  4. Alphabetical Ordering & Punctuation -

    List substituents alphabetically in the name, ignoring prefixes di-, tri-, sec-, and tert- when ordering (ACS style). Use commas to separate numbers and hyphens between numbers and letters: e.g., 3,4-dimethylhexane.

  5. Systematic Names for Complex Alkyls -

    For branched or longer substituents, use systematic IUPAC substituent names like 2-methylpropyl (instead of isobutyl) and 1,1-dimethylethyl (instead of tert-butyl). This ensures consistency across academic sources such as university organic texts and the ACS Organic Nomenclature Guide.

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