Question

IUPAC name of Amyl Nitrite

• A. 3-Methyl butyl nitrite
• B. 2-Methyl butyl nitrite
• C. 3-Ethyl butyl nitrite
• D. 2-Ethyl butyl nitrite

Hint:

Amyl nitrite is a fast-acting medicine used in chest pain (angina). Its common name "amyl" actually refers to the isoamyl group, which is the same as 3-methylbutyl.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: What is Amyl Nitrite?
Amyl Nitrite is a vasodilator used in angina and historically as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. Its chemical formula is C₅H₁₁NO₂. The "amyl" group means a 5-carbon alkyl group.

Step 2: Identify the correct amyl group structure.
There are several 5-carbon amyl (pentyl) isomers. The pharmaceutical-grade Amyl Nitrite is isoamyl nitrite, which means the 5-carbon chain has a methyl branch at the 3-position, making it 3-methylbutyl nitrite.

Step 3: Build the IUPAC name.
The parent chain is butyl (4 carbons). A methyl group is attached at position 3. So the group is 3-methylbutyl. The nitrite ester group (-ONO) gives the suffix "nitrite." Full name: 3-Methyl butyl nitrite.

Step 4: Eliminate wrong options.
Option 2 (2-Methyl butyl nitrite) would place the methyl at C-2, giving a different isomer. Options 3 and 4 use "ethyl" instead of "methyl," which would give a 6-carbon compound, not a 5-carbon amyl compound.

Step 5: Confirm.
3-Methyl butyl nitrite is the IUPAC name for isoamyl nitrite (Amyl Nitrite).

Answer: Option (1) — 3-Methyl butyl nitrite