Always remember the IUPAC priority sequence for rings: The principal functional group gets position 1, followed by numbering to minimize the substituent locant set, then alphabetical ordering.
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to assign the correct IUPAC nomenclature to a substituted cycloheptanol ring structure.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
First, identify the principal functional group. The hydroxyl group (-OH) has highest priority, establishing the parent ring as cycloheptanol. The carbon attached to -OH is position 1.
Next, number the ring to give the lowest possible locants to the substituents (ethyl and methyl). Numbering towards the ethyl group gives substituents at positions 3 and 6, which is the lowest possible set.
Position 3 has an ethyl group ($\text{-CH}_2\text{CH}_3$) and position 6 has a methyl group ($\text{-CH}_3$).
List substituents alphabetically: Ethyl before methyl.
Combining these rules yields: 3-Ethyl-6-methylcycloheptanol.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct IUPAC name is 3-Ethyl-6-methyl cycloheptanol, matching option (B).
