In a cyclic alkene with one double bond and a methyl group on the carbon of that double bond, is it necessary to state the position of the methyl group?

Do i really need to write 1-methylcyclobutene for instance?? wouldnt you just assume the methyl group is on the first carbon of the double bond? if you didnt have a number? Thanks.

you need to state the number, there would be no reason to assume it was on the first carbon. it could just as easily be on one of the non double bonded carbon atoms.

You can only get away with not putting a number, when there is only one place the group could go. Ex: methylpropane. 1 and 3 methylpropanes don't make sense, as they would be n-butane. Therefore, the only methylpropane is 2-methylpropane.

oh i just assumed that if it was on one of the other non double bonded carbons you would put a number to indicate that, thanks for clarifying!

nomenclature follow a set of rule for organic molecules. Its always important to state where any subtituent will be at the any organic compounds.

basically, in science if someone has to make assumptions to figure out exactly what you mean then you aren't doing a very good job. if you make assumptions you have to state very clearly exactly what those assumptions are and possibly justify those assumptions to some extent.

 

the less assumptions that need to be made the better.

Very nice topic