HYDROCARBONS

ALKANES, ALKENES AND ALKYNES

 ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

• Carbon based compounds

• Can be bonded to other elements (H, O, N,
S and halogens)
• Carbon makes 4 bonds, which can be
single, double or triple
• Isomers: same molecular formula (# of each
atom) but different arrangement
 TYPES OF HYDROCARBONS
• Saturated: Contain the maximum number of hydrogens,
single bonds between all carbons

• Unsaturated: Contain 1+ double or triple bonds

 TYPES OF HYDROCARBONS

• Aliphathic Carbons are arranged in chains

• Cyclic: Carbons are arranged in rings

• Aromatic: Contain a benzene ring

TYPES OF HYDROCARBONS
 STRUCTURAL SHORTHAND

Explicit hydrogens (those required to complete

carbon’s valence) are usually left off of
drawings of hydrocarbons

C1 C2 C3 C4 C1 C2 C3 C4
Line intersections represent carbon atoms
HYDROCARBON ROOT NAMES
# of Carbons Root Name
1 meth-
2 eth-
3 prop-
4 but-
5 pent-
6 hex-
7 hept-
8 oct-
9 non-
10 dec-
 NAMING ALKANES

Based off the number of C atoms in the

longest chain
1. Count the number of C’s in the longest
chain
2. Determine the appropriate root
3. Add the suffix “ane”
1. 3 carbons
2. 3 Carbons = Prop
3. Propane
 NAMING BRANCHED ALKANES

Based off the number of C atoms in the

longest chain
1. Count the number of C’s in the longest
chain
2. Determine the appropriate root
3. Use the numbered C’s to give the
branches a position number add “yl” suffix
4. Add the suffix “ane”
 RULES FOR NAMING ALKANES
(NOMENCLATURE)
For a branched hydrocarbon, the longest
continuous chain of carbon atoms gives the
root name for the hydrocarbon

1
2 3
4

4 carbon chain = butane

 NAMING BRANCHED ALKANES

Important Rules:
1. Start numbering from the end that will give
you the lowest number of branches
2. If there is more than one type of branch,
name the branches in alphabetical order
3. If there is more than two of the same type
of branch, give the branch a position
number and prefixes “di”, “tri” “tetra” etc.
4. Put commas between numbers and
hyphens between numbers and letters
 RULES FOR NAMING ALKANES
(NOMENCLATURE)
When alkane groups appear as substituents, they
are named by dropping the -ane and adding -yl.

—CH3 Methyl
—CH2CH3 Ethyl
—CH2CH2CH3 Propyl

—CH2CH2CH2CH3 Butyl
Methyl
 RULES FOR NAMING ALKANES
(NOMENCLATURE)
The positions of substituent groups are specified
by numbering the longest chain of carbon atoms
sequentially, starting at the end closest to the
branching.
1
2 3

Methyl
 RULES FOR NAMING ALKANES
(NOMENCLATURE)
The location and name of each substituent are
followed by the root alkane name. The substituents
are listed in alphabetical order (irrespective of any
prefix), and the prefixes di-, tri-, etc. are used to
indicate multiple identical substituents.
1
2 3
4
Name: 2-methylbutane

Methyl
 NOMENCLATURE PRACTICE
Name this compound

1 9 carbons = nonane
2 3 4 5
6
7
8
9

Step #1: For a branched hydrocarbon, the longest

continuous chain of carbon atoms gives the root name
for the hydrocarbon
 NOMENCLATURE PRACTICE
Name this compound

1
2 3 4
9 carbons = nonane
5
6
CH3 = methyl
7
8 chlorine = chloro
9

Step #2: When alkane groups appear as substituents, they are named by
dropping the -ane and adding -yl.
 NOMENCLATURE PRACTICE
Name this compound

1
2 3 4 9 carbons = nonane
5
6
CH3 = methyl
7
8 chlorine = chloro
9
1 9 NOT 9 1

Step #3: The positions of substituent groups are

specified by numbering the longest chain of carbon
atoms sequentially, starting at the end closest to the
branching.
 NOMENCLATURE PRACTICE
Name this compound

1
2 3 4 9 carbons = nonane
5
6
CH3 = methyl
7
8 chlorine = chloro
9

2-chloro-3,6-dimethylnonane
Step #4: The location and name of each substituent are
followed by the root alkane name. The substituents are
listed in alphabetical order (irrespective of any prefix),
and the prefixes di-, tri-, etc. are used to indicate
multiple identical substituents.
 NAMING CYCLIC ALKANES
ADD PREFIX “CYCLO”

Cyclopropane, C3H6

Cyclobutane, C4H8

Cyclopentane, C5H10

Cyclohexane, C6H12

Cycloheptane, C7H14

Remember, explicit hydrogens are left out

 NAMING ALKENES & ALKYNES
1. Count the number of C’s in the longest chain
containing the double/triple bond.
• This is the parent chain, determine the root
• Number the parent chain so that the double/triple bond
has the lowest possible position number
2. Identify the position numbers of branches
• Same rules as before
3. Write the branches in alphabetical order
4. Write the root, including a prefix that
identifies the position of the double/triple
bond
• Add the prefix “cyclo” if its cyclic
5. Add the suffix “ene” if double bond or “yne”
if triple bond
 NAMING AROMATICS

Benzene: Cyclic 6 carbon ring of alternating

single and double bonds (which gives it special
properties)
1. Same rules
2. If benzene is the parent chain “benzene”
suffix
3. If benzene is a branch group “phenyl”
 CIS/TRANS ISOMERS

Cis Trans
 NAMING
HALO-ALKANES/ALKENES/ALKYNES
• Halogen: group 17, 7 valence shell electrons, form 1
single bond
 NAMING
HALO-ALKANES/ALKENES/ALKYNES
• Same rules as a side change
• Side chain name: First part of halogen with –o:
• Fluoro, Chloro, Bromo, Iodo
• Often Represented as R-X
• R = any hydrocarbon chain
• X = halogen 1. Longest chain is 5
• Ex: carbons = pentane
2. Only side chain is
bromine = bromo
3. Bromine at carbon 1 =
1-bromopentane