Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 9, 2005:

Glad to be of help, when I can, Gabrielle!

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

Thank you David. I am assuming that we are not expected to fix the formula!
The forumla is wrong! if the source term is right.

David Sirett Jan 8, 2005:

The two CH3 groups are bonded to the N+ towards the right-hand end, the "betaine" part of the molecule: R-CO-NH-(CH2)n-N+((CH3)2)-CH2-COO-. IMO the "propano" bit is valid only for n = 3. Betine on its own is ((CH3)3)N+CH2COO-.

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

I noticed a typo in the queston.

It's not alky it is alkyL

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

Hi Gabrielle:

I don't think the client expects you to fix the FORMULA. The client is interested in naming the compound which you have in the source. I have the answer below.

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

Hi Gabrielle: I just talked to an organic chemist graduate student here.. She and I agree that the formula
does not correspond to the name (the question you have) Probably the name is correct... So if we want the name in English, I have given the answer.

Non-ProZ.com Jan 8, 2005:

There is a definition of n from a couple of pages earlier. I don't think it has any connection, but here it is anyway:
"These constituents, which can also be referred to as sodium alpha-olefin sulphonates, are mixtures:
of:
sodium 3-alkene sulphonate CH3-(CH2)n-CH = CH-CH2-SO3Na;
and of: sodium 3-hydroxy alkane sulphonate CH3-(CH2)n-CH-CH2-CH2-SO3Na l OH
[The l is a vertical line down to OH on the line below.] In which n corresponds to a number between 10 and 20 inclusive.

Original French is:
Ces constituants, qui peuvent �galement �tre d�sign�s comme �tant des alpha-ol�fines sulfonates de sodium, sont des m�langes :
de : et de :
3-alc�ne-sulfonate de sodium 3-hydroxy-alcane-sulfonate de sodium
CH3-(CH2)n-CH = CH-CH2-SO3Na ; CH3-(CH2)n-CH-CH2-CH2-SO3Na
l
OH
dans lesquels n correspond � un nombre compris entre 10 et 20 inclus.

I'm counting on you, Zareh! I have only school chemistry. The agent said it might 'contain a few simple chemical terms'...

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

I also don't see how it could be 3-ammonio if we don't know what n is. If n is 5 or 6 or 7 I would think
the 3 will change accordingly!

Zareh Darakjian Ph.D. Jan 8, 2005:

Hi Gabrielle:

Do you know what n is? It seems to me odd to have 3-dimethylammonio here. The only dimethyl we see is on he left. Thoses are not attached to ammonia!