The IUPAC nomenclature of the compound above is

Chemistry

JAMB 2014

A. 2-bromo-3-chlorobutanol
B. 3-bromo-2-chlorobutanol
C. 3-chloro-2-bromobutanol
D. 2-chloro-3-bromobutanol

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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

The IUPAC name for CH\(_2\)(OH)CH(Cl)CH(Br)CH\(_3\) is 3-bromo-2-chlorobutanol. The molecule is a four-carbon chain (but-) with a hydroxyl group (alcohol) at position 1, a chlorine atom at position 2, and a bromine atom at position 3, ordered alphabetically.

Longest Chain: Butane (4 carbons).
Functional Group: Alcohol (−OH) takes precedence, starting numbering from the right to give it position 1.
Substituents: 3-bromo, 2-chloro.
Alphabetical Order: Bromo comes before Chloro, hence 3-bromo-2-chlorobutanol.