[jsmith613]

I thought that Substituents are named in alphabetical order. The first alphabetical name takes the first number i.e #1
So why in this case is it not the same?
http://s359.photobucket.com/albums/oo40/jsmith613/?action=view&current=ChemQ-1.jpg

Why is Butyl 3 not 1?

[nj_bartel]

It is in alphabetical order - before propyl.  The butyl and propyl substituents are equidistant from the dimethyl position.  The first thing to consider is proximity of substituents - there are 2 methyl groups on the same carbon.

[jsmith613]

It is in alphabetical order - before propyl.  The butyl and propyl substituents are equidistant from the dimethyl position.  The first thing to consider is proximity of substituents - there are 2 methyl groups on the same carbon.

What confuses me is that each substiuent is as far away from the next one, as all the others - there is a difference of two jumps between one substituent and its neighbour.

What I still dont get is why butyl is 3, when it should be 1 since it is alphabetically first]

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Has it got anything to do with the total number in the name
Currently: 1+1+3+5
Otherwise: 1+3+3+5
So currently the total of all the numbers in the name is the smallest possible.

Then, since butyl comes alphabetically next it is 3

[nj_bartel]

They're not all equidistant.  The two methyl substituents are on the same carbon.  The butyl and propyl substituents are equidistant from that quaternary carbon.