Final answer:
The IUPAC name for the compound referred to is actually 3-methyl-1-pentanol, describing a five-carbon chain with a hydroxyl group at the first carbon and a methyl group at the third carbon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The IUPAC name for the compound commonly referred to as 3-methyl-1-pentanol is in fact 3-methyl-1-pentanol itself. The compound consists of a five-carbon chain (pentane being the root for a five-carbon alkane) with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the first carbon atom, which is indicated by the '1-pentanol' part of the name, representing that it is an alcohol.
Additionally, there is a methyl group (CH3) attached to the third carbon atom of the chain, as indicated by '3-methyl'. This structure is specific to this compound and conforms to the IUPAC nomenclature rules, which assign the lowest possible numbers to substituents and functional groups.
The IUPAC name for the compound with the IUPAC name 3-methyl-1-pentanol is 3-methylpentan-1-ol. Let's break down the name:
The longest chain contains five carbon atoms, so it is called pentane.
There is a methyl group attached to the third carbon atom, indicated by the prefix 3-methyl.
The alcohol functional group (OH) is present at the first carbon atom, indicated by the suffix -ol.
Therefore, the correct IUPAC name for this compound is 3-methylpentan-1-ol.