What is the IUPAC name for C10H22?

The correct name for C10H22 is Decane. In organic chemistry, the nomenclature system developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) provides guidelines for naming compounds based on their structure.

Decane consists of a linear chain of 10 carbon atoms, which fits the general formula for alkanes, CnH2n+2, where 'n' is the number of carbon atoms. For decane, n equals 10, giving us C10H22, which confirms that the compound is indeed a straight-chain alkane with 10 carbon atoms.

Other choices refer to hydrocarbons with fewer carbon atoms. Butane, pentane, and ethane correspond to 4, 5, and 2 carbon atoms, respectively, making them inappropriate for representing C10H22. Understanding the structure and the naming conventions of alkanes helps in identifying the correct IUPAC name for different hydrocarbons.