"DIRECT INSTRUCTION"

The IUPAC Rules of Alkanes Nomenclature

Alkanes are hydrocarbon compounds that have a single carbon chain bond. The general formula
for alkanes is CnH2n+2. From methane to ethane has a difference - CH 2 -, and so on. A series of
carbon compounds with the same functional group as the same difference, namely -CH2, is
called the homologous series.

A. Procedure
1. Find the longest continuous carbon chain as the main chain
CH3 CH3
H2 H2 H H2
H3 C C C C C C CH2

CH3 CH2

CH3

2. Give a number to the parent chain by giving the number 1 to the C atom that is
closest to the branch
CH3 8 CH3
H2 H2 H5 H2
H3 C C C C C C CH2
2 3CH 4
1
3 CH2 6 7

CH3
3. Observe the parent chain and identify wether the parent chain has a branches
CH3 8 CH3
H2 H2 H H2
H3 C C C C C C CH2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CH3 CH2

CH3

CH3  Methyl
C2H5  Ethyl
Whereas the alkyl group from those alkane structure are : CH3  Methyl
C2H5  ethyl. Remember, if you find the same alkyl group more than one you
should add prefix (di,tri, tert-, etc) in to the name of the same branch.

4. Write down the branch at first then followed by the main chain instead. Separate
it with dash (-) . The right arrangement is Number of branch position- branch
name (alkyl group name- the name of alkynes in main chain).
CH3 CH3
H2 H2 H2 8
H
H3 C C C C C C CH2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CH3 CH2

CH3

5 – ethyl – 3 – methyloctane