Question

What is the IUPAC name of the compound with the following structure: benzene attached to COOH, OH, and an ethyl group?

• A. 2-Ethylbenzoic acid
• B. 3-Ethylsalicylic acid
• C. 4-Ethylphenol
• D. 2-Ethyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Hint:

When naming compounds with multiple substituents, use the lowest possible numbers to give the substituents on the benzene ring, starting with the highest-priority group (in this case, the carboxyl group).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In this compound, the benzene ring has a carboxyl group (-COOH) at position 1, a hydroxyl group (-OH) at position 4, and an ethyl group (C\(_2\)H\(_5\)) at position 2. According to IUPAC nomenclature, the compound is named 2-Ethyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, as the position of the substituents are numbered to give the lowest possible numbers in the name. - Option (A) is incorrect because it does not reflect the correct positions of the substituents.
- Option (B) is incorrect because salicylic acid has a hydroxyl group and carboxyl group at positions 2 and 1, respectively, and does not have an ethyl group.
- Option (C) is incorrect because the compound described has a carboxyl group, not a phenolic group at position 1. Therefore, the correct answer is option (D).