Step 1

Determine the parent name by selecting the longest chain that contains
the double bond and change the ending -ane in alkane to -ene.

Step 2

When the chain contains more than three carbon atoms, a number is
needed to indicate the location of the double bond.
The chain is numbered starting from the end closest to the double bond.
So that the carbon atoms in the double bond have the lowest possible
1-propene @ prop-1number.

ene
1-butene
@ but-1CH2=CHCH2CH3
ene
CH2CH=CHCH3
@ but-2Step 3
Indicate the position2-butene
of the substituent
by the number of the carbon
ene
atoms to which 1they
are
attached.
2
3
4
5
6
H3C C CH CH2 CH CH3 2,5-dimethyl-2-hexene
@
CH3
CH3
2,5-dimethylhex-2-ene
CH2=CHCH3

Step 4

The ending of the alkenes with more than one double bond should be
change from - ene to,
diene if there are two double bonds
triene if there are three double bonds
1

H2C

CH CH

CH2

H2C

1-methylcyclopentene

1
2

Two frequently encountered alkenyl groups are vinyl group and allyl
group.
RCH=CH2
alkene

-H

RCH=CHalkenyl
CH

CH2=CHvinyl @ ethenyl
Step 7

CHCH CHCH3

In cycloalkenes :
Number the carbon atoms with a double bond as 1 and 2, in the direction
that gives the substituent encountered first with a small number.
CH3
5

Step 6

1,3,5-heptatriene
Hepta-1,3,5-triene

1,3-butadiene @
Buta-1,3-diene
Step 5

CHCH

(NOTE: R= alkyl or H)

CH2

vinylcyclobutane

CH2=CHCH2ethenylcyclobutane
allyl @ propenyl

When two identical groups are attached:

H on the same sides of the double bond, the compound is cis
H on the opposite sides of the double bond, it is trans.
Cl
C
H

Cl

Cl
C

C
H

H
C
Cl

H3C

CH3

H2C

H
H

CH3
CH3

CH3

H3C

CH3

CH3

H2C

CH3

H2C

CH2

CH3
CH3

CH3

H3C

H3C

CH2CH2CH3

CH3

CH3
H3C

CH3

CH3

10

H3C
1
1

12

CH2

H3C

1
3

14

H3C

CH3