ISO carbon, based on the provided reference, refers to a specific type of alkane where a methyl group is located on the second carbon of the carbon chain. The prefix "iso-" signifies this particular isomeric structure. It is important to note that the "iso-" prefix is used in conjunction with the alkane name that indicates the total number of carbons in the molecule, including the methyl group.
Here's a breakdown:
- iso- Prefix: Indicates an isomer. Specifically, it implies the presence of a methyl group (-CH3) attached to the second carbon atom of the main carbon chain.
- Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon (a molecule containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms with single bonds).
- Naming Convention: The "iso-" prefix is added before the alkane name that corresponds to the total number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
Examples:
| Molecule | Structure | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Isobutane | (CH3)2CHCH3 | Four carbon atoms total. A methyl group is attached to the second carbon of the main three-carbon chain. |
| Isopentane | (CH3)2CHCH2CH3 | Five carbon atoms total. A methyl group is attached to the second carbon of the main four-carbon chain. |
| Isohexane | (CH3)2CHCH2CH2CH3 | Six carbon atoms total. A methyl group is attached to the second carbon of the main five-carbon chain. |
In essence, "ISO carbon" in this context doesn't refer to a unique type of carbon atom itself, but rather to carbon atoms found in molecules named using the "iso-" prefix, meaning they have a specific branching pattern with a methyl group on the second carbon.
