[ostudent]

Hi everyone,

I have one question about a possible error in the key.
If I were to identify all groups that would be considered substituents for the following compound, my answer would be dimethyl or 2 methyl groups.

However, the answer key gives me: 1 methyl group.

Am I mistaken here?
Best regards and many thanks in advance...

[hypervalent_iodine]

Have you identified the parent chain for the compound? I would recommend drawing the structure out and highlighting the parent chain.

[ostudent]

Hi @hypervalent_iodine,

I learned the parent chain to be 'butane' since it's the longest and connected to the alcohol functional group and has the double bond.
Therefore, I saw two methyl groups branching out from the parent chain.
Wouldn't these BOTH be called the substituents? 

Thanks for replying.

[hypervalent_iodine]

Hi @hypervalent_iodine,

I learned the parent chain to be 'butane' since it's the longest and connected to the alcohol functional group and has the double bond.
Therefore, I saw two methyl groups branching out from the parent chain.
Wouldn't these BOTH be called the substituents? 

Thanks for replying.

I recommend you look at it again. Find the longest continuous chain of carbons. The alcohol group being where it is does not mean that the chain terminates there.

[ostudent]

I see it now! Thank you so much for the tip/guiding me through it.

[hypervalent_iodine]

I see it now! Thank you so much for the tip/guiding me through it.

No problems! Happy studying.