What does the "n" stand for in n-Bu?

Question

For example, I am working with the organolithium reagent n-BuLi. I know what it looks like, but I cannot for the life of me remember what the "n" stands for. Anyone know?

Answer 1

n means normal, usually meaning straight chain, functionalized on the last carbon.

Answer 2

Butyl- can have 4 different forms, but N-Bu is the simplest.

N-Bu (Normal-Buytl) : CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-
Above is a "Normal" Buytl that is in a straight chain.


There can also be:
Iso-Bu (splitting as two methyls at the end):
Sec-Bu (Branching in Secondary C):
Tert-Bu (Branching of in Tertiary C):

Answer 3

n means a straight chain in this case n-Bu means CH3-CH2CH2-CH2-X