Correct IUPAC name of the compound given below is :

The correct answer is Option (2) → 3-Ethoxy heptane

In IUPAC nomenclature an ether R–O–R′ is named as an alkoxyalkane: the larger alkyl group is the parent alkane, and the smaller group with the oxygen is the alkoxy substituent. The parent chain is numbered so that the carbon carrying the alkoxy group gets the lowest number.

In the given structure the longest chain has 7 carbon atoms (heptane), and the −\( \ce{O-CH2CH3} \) (ethoxy) group is on the third carbon from the right-hand end:

    \( \displaystyle \ce{CH3CH2CH2CH2-CH(OC2H5)-CH2CH3} \)

Numbering from the right gives the ethoxy carbon number 3; from the left it would be 5. The lower locant is chosen, so the name is 3-ethoxyheptane.

NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Nomenclature – “… According to IUPAC system of nomenclature, ethers are regarded as hydrocarbon derivatives in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by an –OR or –OAr group, where R and Ar represent alkyl and aryl groups, respectively. The larger (R) group is chosen as the parent hydrocarbon.”