Naming Alkanes Name: __________________________

Classwork 4: Naming Alkanes

Step 1. Find the longest continuous chain of carbons (it doesn’t have to be straight). (Draw a line through
these carbons if it’s helpful.) Assign an “alkane” name according to the number of carbons in this
chain (such as “butane,” “pentane”).

Step 2. All carbons not in this main chain are “branches” connected to the main chain. Name each branch
using the corresponding prefix with a “–yl” ending.
1 carbon - “methyl” 2 carbons - “ethyl” 3 carbons - “propyl”

Step 3. Number the carbons in the main chain so that the branch(es) have the lowest possible numbers
assigned to them. Assign each branch a number corresponding to where it attaches to the main chain.
Step 4 If there is more than one of a type of branch, add a prefix:
2 = di 3 = tri 4 = tetra 5 = …don’t worry about five groups.

Drawing Alkanes
Step 1. Draw the main chain (the last word on the right side of the name). This should be the longest
continuous path of counting carbons. You can go in many directions.

Step 2. Number the carbons from left to right or right to left depending on where you will get the lowest
numbers.

Step 3. Attach branches according to the number of carbons in each branch (“___yl” words) and their
position on the main chain.

*** it might be helpful to ignore any “di” or “tri” type prefixes in the branch names. “n-“ means normal and is
representing the straight chain. ***

Example: 4-ethyl -2,2,5 trimethyl octane

Alphabetize the prefixes like ethyl, methyl, propyl.
If there is more than one indicate with di, tri, tetra, penta, etc.
Then figure out which like groups locations on carbon numbers. Match it to the name above and you got it
right.
1. Name the following branched alkanes:
 2. Draw the structural formula for the following molecules. Remember the following:
 Carbons on the end of a chain are attached to three hydrogens
 Carbons in the middle of a chain are attached to two hydrogens
 Carbons that have one branch attached are also attached to one hydrogen
 Carbons that have two branches attached are not attached to any hydrogens

4-ethyl-octane

2-methyl-nonane

3,3-dimethyl-pentane

3-ethyl-pentane

3-ethyl-2methyl-heptane

2,2,3-trimethyl-butane

3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-hexane