[jacksonpeebles]

So, I have a molecule:

CH3-CH2-C-CH2-CH3 where the central C has two CH2 groups and two CH3 groups extending up/down (sorry, this is my first post, I don't know how to draw in this forum - any suggestions?)

Obviously, the main chain is five long, so it's a pentane.  Two of those branched groups are methyl (CH3) and two are ethyl (CH2), so it stands to reason that the base name would be ethylmethylpentane (alphabetically).  Since all of the branched groups are off of the third carbon, we'd use that along with the di- prefix for the double sets, correct?

What I've come up with is 3-diethyl,3-dimethylpentane, but the online system (OWL, for those familiar) says that it isn't correct, and, even though it's a tutorial, it won't tell me what I'm doing wrong... I'm new to this and would really appreciate some guidance.

[discodermolide]

So, I have a molecule:

CH3-CH2-C-CH2-CH3 where the central C has two CH2 groups and two CH3 groups extending up/down (sorry, this is my first post, I don't know how to draw in this forum - any suggestions?)

Obviously, the main chain is five long, so it's a pentane.  Two of those branched groups are methyl (CH3) and two are ethyl (CH2), so it stands to reason that the base name would be ethylmethylpentane (alphabetically).  Since all of the branched groups are off of the third carbon, we'd use that along with the di- prefix for the double sets, correct?

What I've come up with is 3-diethyl,3-dimethylpentane, but the online system (OWL, for those familiar) says that it isn't correct, and, even though it's a tutorial, it won't tell me what I'm doing wrong... I'm new to this and would really appreciate some guidance.

You mean this molecule?

[jacksonpeebles]

So, I have a molecule:

CH3-CH2-C-CH2-CH3 where the central C has two CH2 groups and two CH3 groups extending up/down (sorry, this is my first post, I don't know how to draw in this forum - any suggestions?)

Obviously, the main chain is five long, so it's a pentane.  Two of those branched groups are methyl (CH3) and two are ethyl (CH2), so it stands to reason that the base name would be ethylmethylpentane (alphabetically).  Since all of the branched groups are off of the third carbon, we'd use that along with the di- prefix for the double sets, correct?

What I've come up with is 3-diethyl,3-dimethylpentane, but the online system (OWL, for those familiar) says that it isn't correct, and, even though it's a tutorial, it won't tell me what I'm doing wrong... I'm new to this and would really appreciate some guidance.

You mean this molecule?

Thank you so much for the reply, but actually no.  The methyl groups have ethyl groups stacked on top of them on the third carbon.

[discodermolide]

you mean this molecule?

[Corporeus]

Sounds like 3,3-Diethyl 3,3-Dimethylpentane. Only thing i can think of :/

[discodermolide]

So, I have a molecule:

CH3-CH2-C-CH2-CH3 where the central C has two CH2 groups and two CH3 groups extending up/down (sorry, this is my first post, I don't know how to draw in this forum - any suggestions?)

Obviously, the main chain is five long, so it's a pentane.  Two of those branched groups are methyl (CH3) and two are ethyl (CH2), so it stands to reason that the base name would be ethylmethylpentane (alphabetically).  Since all of the branched groups are off of the third carbon, we'd use that along with the di- prefix for the double sets, correct?

What I've come up with is 3-diethyl,3-dimethylpentane, but the online system (OWL, for those familiar) says that it isn't correct, and, even though it's a tutorial, it won't tell me what I'm doing wrong... I'm new to this and would really appreciate some guidance.

You need to clarify your question a bit "what are "two CH₂ groups" and two "CH₃ groups extending"…… this makes no sense.
"two are ethyl" ethyl is not CH₂ but -CH₂-CH₃.

Look at my post number 3 with the drawing, is this what you mean by " the methyl groups have ethyl groups stacked on them"… this makes no sense, please clarify what you mean.

[Corporeus]

I dont know how to draw on this forum, but i think he means a + shape. Carbon in the middle, binded to 4 CH₂s, and the 4 CH₂s binded to 4 methanes.

[discodermolide]

I dont know how to draw on this forum, but i think he means a + shape. Carbon in the middle, binded to 4 CH₂s, and the 4 CH₂s binded to 4 methanes.

You mean this structure?

[Corporeus]

Yes. How did you draw it?

[discodermolide]

Yes. How did you draw it?

I used ChemDraw, saved it as a picture and uploaded it here.
There are other drawing programs out there, some for free some really cheap, <$50.

[Corporeus]

oh okay, thank you very much!