Prefixes Indicating the Number of Carbon Ctoms

1
2
3
4
5
6
Meth
Eth
Prop
But
Pent
Hex
Format of a Name
Branches
Prefix for number
of Carbons
Amino
Meth
Chloro
Eth
Nitro
Prop

(in alpha order)

Common branches
-Br
-Cl
-F
-I
-CH3
-CH2CH3
-OH
-NH2
-NO2

7
Hept

8
Oct

9
Non

C-C bonds

Other functional
groups

ane
ene
yne

ol
al
oic acid

(in alpha order)

(in alpha order)

10
Dec

** oic acid and

peroxidxe always
come last
(because of the
nature of their
names)**

Bromo
Chloro
Fluoro
Iodo
Methyl
Ethyl
Hydroxy
Amino
Nitro
Isopropyl

Tert-butyl

Naming Branched Molecules:

1. Identify the longest continuous chain or ring of carbon atoms
2. Number the carbons from the end that gives the lowest sum for the number of
branches
3. Name each branch and indicate its location with a number
4. List the branches in alpha order before the prefix for the number of carbons
Alkanes
-all C-C bonds
-General formula: CnH2n+2 where n is the number of C atoms

Naming
-Use correct prefix to indicate the number of carbons
-ending is ane
Alkenes
-contain 1 or more C=C double bonds
-when naming, follow rules for alkanes except ending is ene
-the position of the double bond must be indicated for alkenes with 4 or more carbons
Alkynes
-contain at least 1 carbon to carbon triple bond
-when naming, follow rules for alkanes except ending is yne
-the position of the triple bond is indicated for alkynes with 4 or more carbons
Cis and Trans
-double bonds preven the rotation of atoms around the bond axis, creating 2 distinct
molecules
-cis form groups attached to the double bond are on the same side of the double bond
-trans form groups attached to the double bond are on opposite sides of the double
bond
-cis and trans goes with the bond not the groups attached
-cis and trans do not occur in bonds that involve an end carbon
Aromatics (Benzene derivatives)
-use benzene as the main chain
1. Identify the groups, number accordingly and put in front of benzene in alpha
order
2. For compounds with 2 groups attached, the following prefixes can be used
instead of numbers (Only for benzene):
a. 1,2= ortho (o)
b. 1,3= meta (m)
c. 1,4= para (p)
In reactions, meta is favored
Alcohols
-contain the hydroxyl group (-OH)
-3 types of alcohols:
-primary (-OH attached to C with 2 Hs [at the end of the chain])
-secondary (-OH attached to the C with one H)
-tertiary (-OH attached to a C with no Hs)
Naming
1. Determine the name of the main chain containing the hydroxyl group
2. Remove the e on the end of the main chain and add ol
3. Indicate the number to which the OH is bonded to starting at 3 carbons using the
same rules for double or triple bonds

4. If there are multiple OH groups indicate this with the appropriate greek prefix
Aldehydes
-contain the carbonyl group (C=O) attached to the end carbon
-name: suffix al
Ketones
-contain the carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a carbon that is not at the end
-name: suffix one
Carboxylic Acid
-contain the carboxyl functional group
-name: remove the e on the end, add oic acid
Ethers
-contain the R-O-R functional group
Naming:
1. The longest alkyl chain connected to the O is the base chain
2. Add Oxy to the end of the prefix for the other alkyl chain
3. Indicate the position of the ether linkage using a number in front of the main
chain
Peroxides
-contain the R-O-O-R functional group
Naming:
list the yl forms of the hydrocarbon chains in alpha order, followed by the word
peroxide
Esters
-Responsible for tastes and odor
-contain the ester linkage
Naming:
Use the yl form of the alcohol proceeded with the oate form of the carboxylic
acid
Amines
-contain the amino functional group
Types of amines:
-primary: 1 carbon chain (2Hs)
-secondary: 2 carbon chains (1H)
-tertiary: 3 carbon chains (no Hs)
Naming:
1. Determine the longest alkyl chain and use it as a base name
2. List the alkyl chains in alpha order with N in front of each to indicate that they
are on the N and not the main chain
3. After the names of the alkyl indicate the position of the amino group and precede
the base name with amino

Amides
-contain the amide linkage
-structurally similar to esters
Naming:
-name has 2 parts
Base name:
1. The prefix for the number of carbons in the chain containing the
carbonyl
2. add amide to the end
Before:
Indicate any alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen using N in place of a
number
Common Names
Formic acid=methanoic acid

Acetaldehyde= ethanal

Formaldehyde=methanal

Acetone= propanone

Benzoic acid

Benzaldehyde

Acetic acid= ethanoic acid