Which compound is 2, 2, 3-trimethylhexane

Options

A. `{:(" "CH_(3)""CH_(3)),(" |"" |"),(CH_(3)-C-CH-CH_(2)-CH_(3)),(" |"),(" "CH_(3)):}`
B. `{:(" "CH_(3)" "CH_(3)),(" |"" |"),(CH_(3)-C-CH_(2)-CH-CH_(3)),(" |"),(" "CH_(3)):}`
C. `{:(" "CH_(3)""CH_(3)),(" |"" |"),(CH_(3)-C-CH-CH_(2)-CH_(2)-CH_(3)),(" |"),(" "CH_(3)):}`
D. `{:(" "CH_(3)),(" |"),(CH_(3)-CH-CH_(2)-CH_(2)-C-CH_(3)),(" |"" |"),(" "CH_(3)" "CH_(3)):}`

Answer

To determine which compound is 2,2,3-trimethylhexane, we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Name
The name "2,2,3-trimethylhexane" indicates the following:
- "Hexane" means the main carbon chain consists of 6 carbon atoms.
- "Trimethyl" indicates that there are three methyl (–CH₃) groups attached to the main chain.
- The numbers (2,2,3) specify the positions of these methyl groups on the main carbon chain.

### Step 2: Draw the Main Chain
Since "hexane" refers to a six-carbon chain, we will draw a straight chain of six carbon atoms:
```
C1 - C2 - C3 - C4 - C5 - C6
```

### Step 3: Number the Carbon Atoms
We will number the carbon atoms from one end to the other:
```
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
```

### Step 4: Add Methyl Groups
According to the name:
- There are two methyl groups on carbon 2.
- There is one methyl group on carbon 3.

We will add the methyl groups to the appropriate carbon atoms:
```
CH3
|
C1 - C2 - C3 - C4 - C5 - C6
|
CH3
```
This structure shows:
- Carbon 2 has two methyl groups (one on each side).
- Carbon 3 has one methyl group.

### Step 5: Verify the Structure
Now we can verify that we have a total of 6 carbon atoms in the main chain and 3 additional carbon atoms from the methyl groups:
- Main chain: 6 carbons (C1 to C6)
- Methyl groups: 3 carbons (from the three –CH₃ groups)

### Step 6: Identify the Correct Option
Now, we need to check the options provided (A, B, C, D) to find the one that matches our drawn structure:
- Option 1: 5 carbons (not correct)
- Option 2: 5 carbons (not correct)
- Option 3: 6 carbons (correct)
- Option 4: 6 carbons but incorrectly named (2,2,5-trimethylhexane)

Thus, the correct answer is **Option 3**.