Alkanes Single Bonds

CnH2n+2

Alkenes At least 1 double bond

CnH2n

Alkynes At least 1 triple bond

CnH2n-2

# of Carbons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Root Name
Meth Eth Prop But Pent Hex Hept Oct Non Dec

Alkanes (Add ane)

Methane Ethane Propane Butane Pentane Hexane Heptane Octane Nonane Decane

Alkenes (Add ene)

Methene Ethene Propene Butene Pentene Hexene Heptene Octene Nonene Decene

Alkynes (Add yne)

Methyne Ethyne Propyne Butyne Pentyne Hexyne Heptyne Octyne Nonyne Decyne

Suffixes for Functional Groups

Alkenes (contain C=C): Add "ene" to the root name Alkynes (contain CC): Add "yne" to the root name Alcohols (contain -OH): Add "anol" to the root name Aldehydes (contain terminal C=O): Add "anal" to the root name Ketones (contain C=O): Add "anone" to the root name Amides (contain -CONR): Add anamide to the root name Esters (contain -CO2R): Add anoate to the root name Carboxylic Acids (contain -CO2H): Add "anoic acid" to the root name