1. Identify the Parent Structure:
* The parent structure is cyclobutane, a four-carbon ring.
2. Identify the Substituents:
* Ethyl: A two-carbon chain (CH₃CH₂)
* Propyl: A three-carbon chain (CH₃CH₂CH₂)
3. Determine the Positions:
* The ethyl group is attached to carbon 1 of the cyclobutane ring.
* The propyl group is attached to carbon 2 of the cyclobutane ring.
4. Count the Atoms:
* Carbon (C): 4 (cyclobutane) + 2 (ethyl) + 3 (propyl) = 9
* Hydrogen (H): 8 (cyclobutane) + 5 (ethyl) + 7 (propyl) = 20
Therefore, the molecular formula for 1-ethyl-2-propylcyclobutane is C₉H₂₀.
