MCQEasyJEE 2024Nomenclature (IUPAC & Common)

JEE Chemistry 2024 Question with Solution

Structure of 4-Methylpent-2-enal is:

  • A

    H₂C = C - CH₂ - C = C - H

  • B

    CH₃ - CH₂ - C = CH - C = CH

  • C

    CH₃ - CH₂ - CH = C - CH₃

  • D

    CH₃ - CH = CH - C = C - H

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The compound name is 4-Methylpent-2-enal.

Find: The correct structure among the given options.

Naming the Structure: The name “4-Methylpent-2-enal” provides the key structural features of the molecule. The “pent” indicates a five-carbon chain. “2-enal” indicates the presence of a double bond at the second carbon and an aldehyde group at the terminal position. The “4-methyl” substituent specifies a methyl group attached to the fourth carbon.

Construct the Structure Step-by-Step:

  1. Step 1: Place a five-carbon chain.
  2. Step 2: Insert a double bond between carbons 2 and 3.
  3. Step 3: Attach an aldehyde group at the first carbon.
  4. Step 4: Add a methyl group to the fourth carbon.

Verify Each Option: Only Option (4) matches this structure, with the correct placement of the double bond, aldehyde group, and methyl substituent.

Conclusion: The structure in Option (4) is correct for 4-Methylpent-2-enal. Therefore, the correct option is D.

Name-Based Structural Analysis

Given: The compound name is 4-Methylpent-2-enal.

Find: Which option matches the IUPAC name.

To determine the structure of 4-Methylpent-2-enal, first identify each part of the name:

  1. Determine the Parent Chain: The word pent indicates a five-carbon chain.
  2. Locate the Functional Group: The suffix al signifies an aldehyde group at carbon 1.
  3. Locate the Double Bond: The term 2-en indicates a double bond starting at carbon 2.
  4. Identify the Substituent: The prefix 4-Methyl indicates a methyl group attached to carbon 4.

Thus, the required structure must contain:

  • a five-carbon parent chain,
  • a terminal aldehyde group,
  • a double bond between carbon 2 and carbon 3,
  • a methyl substituent on carbon 4.

Comparing the options on this basis, the solution identifies Option D as the matching structure.

Conclusion: The correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the numbering direction is a common mistake. In aldehydes, numbering starts from the CHO carbon, so the double bond position must be counted from that end, not from the opposite side.

  • Ignoring the meaning of 4-methyl leads to a wrong structure. The methyl group must be treated as a substituent on the main five-carbon chain, not as part of an incorrectly chosen parent chain.

  • Treating enal as only an alkene is incorrect. The suffix indicates both a double bond and an aldehyde functional group, so the structure must include a terminal aldehyde carbon.

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