Final answer:
To determine the number of equivalent methyl (CH3) groups in compound B, divide the integration of signal D by 3. In this case, there are 4 equivalent methyl groups in compound B.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number of equivalent methyl (CH3) groups in compound B, we need to examine the given information. The integration of signal D is 12, which means that there are 12 hydrogens attached to the carbon atom where the signal appears. Each methyl group contains 3 hydrogens, so we can calculate the number of equivalent methyl groups by dividing the integration by 3.
In this case, 12 divided by 3 equals 4, so there are 4 equivalent methyl (CH3) groups in compound B.
An example of arranging these methyl groups in a way that each of them is bound to a carbon with only one proton is compound C, where there are 4 methyl (CH3) groups attached to different carbon atoms in the molecule.