Organic Chemistry -IUPAC Naming Conventions
-Hydrocarbons & Alcohols
Test Study Guide: -Aldehydes & Ketones
-Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives
Ch.1 Nomenclature
-Functional Groups
-And More
CONCEPT SUMMARY
Steps for IUPAC Naming Conventions
1. Identify the Parent Chain: Locate the longest continuous carbon chain that includes the highest-priority
functional group, referred to as the parent chain.
2. Numbering the Chain: Assign numbers to the carbon atoms in such a way that the highest-priority functional
group receives the lowest possible number, which will determine the suffix of the compound’s name.
3. Naming Substituents: Identify and name any substituents attached to the parent chain using prefixes. If there
are multiple substituents of the same type, use additional prefixes (di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.) to indicate their quantity.
4. Assigning Numbers to Substituents: Provide a specific number for each substituent based on its position on
the carbon chain.
5. Finalizing the Name: Compile the complete name by alphabetizing all substituents and ensuring that numbers
are separated from each other by commas and from words by hyphens.
Hydrocarbons and Alcohols: Aesthetic Points
Alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.
General formula: (CnH(2n+2)), where n is the number of carbon atoms.
Naming convention: The name reflects the number of carbon atoms followed by the suffix -ane.
First four alkanes:
a. Methane (CH₄)
b. Ethane (C₂H₆)
c. Propane (C₃H₈)
d. Butane (C₄H₁₀)
Larger alkanes are named using Greek prefixes: pentane (C₅H₁₂), hexane (C₆H₁₄), heptane (C₇H₁₆), octane
(C₈H₁₈), etc.
Alkenes and Alkynes
1. Alkenes contain at least one double bond; alkynes contain at least one triple bond.
2. Naming for alkenes involves substituting the suffix -ene and indicating the position of the double bond with a
number.
3. For alkynes, the suffix -yne is used, also with numbering for the triple bond’s position.
Alcohols
1. Alcohols are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which replaces one or more hydrogen
atoms in a hydrocarbon chain.
-Hydrocarbons & Alcohols
Test Study Guide: -Aldehydes & Ketones
-Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives
Ch.1 Nomenclature
-Functional Groups
-And More
CONCEPT SUMMARY
Steps for IUPAC Naming Conventions
1. Identify the Parent Chain: Locate the longest continuous carbon chain that includes the highest-priority
functional group, referred to as the parent chain.
2. Numbering the Chain: Assign numbers to the carbon atoms in such a way that the highest-priority functional
group receives the lowest possible number, which will determine the suffix of the compound’s name.
3. Naming Substituents: Identify and name any substituents attached to the parent chain using prefixes. If there
are multiple substituents of the same type, use additional prefixes (di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.) to indicate their quantity.
4. Assigning Numbers to Substituents: Provide a specific number for each substituent based on its position on
the carbon chain.
5. Finalizing the Name: Compile the complete name by alphabetizing all substituents and ensuring that numbers
are separated from each other by commas and from words by hyphens.
Hydrocarbons and Alcohols: Aesthetic Points
Alkanes
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.
General formula: (CnH(2n+2)), where n is the number of carbon atoms.
Naming convention: The name reflects the number of carbon atoms followed by the suffix -ane.
First four alkanes:
a. Methane (CH₄)
b. Ethane (C₂H₆)
c. Propane (C₃H₈)
d. Butane (C₄H₁₀)
Larger alkanes are named using Greek prefixes: pentane (C₅H₁₂), hexane (C₆H₁₄), heptane (C₇H₁₆), octane
(C₈H₁₈), etc.
Alkenes and Alkynes
1. Alkenes contain at least one double bond; alkynes contain at least one triple bond.
2. Naming for alkenes involves substituting the suffix -ene and indicating the position of the double bond with a
number.
3. For alkynes, the suffix -yne is used, also with numbering for the triple bond’s position.
Alcohols
1. Alcohols are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which replaces one or more hydrogen
atoms in a hydrocarbon chain.
