Alkoxy Alkane Naming Fun!

What is the correct name for the ether (CH₃)₃COCH₃?

a) Methyl tert-butyl ether
b) Ethyl isopropyl ether
c) Propyl tert-butyl ether
d) Butyl isopropyl ether

Answer:

The correct name of the ether (CH₃)₃COCH₃ as an alkoxy alkane is methyl tert-butyl ether. Therefore the correct answer is a) Methyl tert-butyl ether.

Explanation:

The ether (CH₃)₃COCH₃, commonly known as MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), when named as an alkoxy alkane, is referred to as methyl tert-butyl ether.

In IUPAC nomenclature, ethers are named by identifying the alkoxy group (the alkyl group attached to oxygen) and the parent hydrocarbon chain. Considering that the butyl group in MTBE is larger than the methyl group and considering that MTBE increases the oxygen content of gasoline as an oxygenate, the correct nomenclature for MTBE is methyl tert-butyl ether. The correct name for the given ether is Methyl tert-butyl ether, which is commonly referred to as MTBE. It is an alkoxy alkane compound.