Final answer:
The IUPAC name of the compound
is 2-Methylbutanoic acid, and this corresponds to option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound
is an organic molecule with a carboxylic acid functional group. To name this compound using IUPAC conventions, we must first identify the longest continuous carbon chain that includes the carboxylic acid. This chain is butane, with four carbon atoms. Next, we investigate any alkyl substitutions on this chain. There is a methyl group (
) attached to the second carbon atom of the butane chain.
Therefore, incorporating these findings, we can determine that the IUPAC name for this molecule is 2-Methylbutanoic acid, which corresponds to option (a). This systematic naming approach ensures a precise and standardized way to identify organic compounds, facilitating clear communication among chemists and researchers regarding the structure and properties of the molecules involved.