Naming Alkanes Alkenes Alkynes

Organic Compounds

Any compounds with covalently bonded carbon atoms.

Hydrocarbon

A molecule composed of only carbon and hydrogen.

Aliphatic Compounds

Compounds that can have an open chain or cyclic molecules.

Aromatic Compounds

Compounds that have a 6 carbon ring shape with alternating carbon-carbon double bonds.

Alkane

A hydrocarbon with single bonds between all carbon atoms.

Parent Chain

The longest chain of single bonded carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon.

Side Chain

Branches off of the parent chain in a hydrocarbon. Name ends with “yl”

Cyclo

A prefix added to indicate a cyclic structure in naming hydrocarbons.

Alkene

A hydrocarbon with at least one double bond between two carbons.

Alkyne

A hydrocarbon with at least one triple bond between two carbons.

Saturated Hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon with no double or triple bonds; also known as an alkane.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

A hydrocarbon with double or triple bonds; includes alkenes and alkynes.

Location Numbers

Numbers assigned to side chains to ensure the smallest possible values.

Di, Tri, Tetra

Prefixes for indicating the number of identical side chains (2 = di, 3 = tri, 4 = tetra).

Parent Chain Rules for Alkenes

The ending for the parent chain is 'ene' and must include the locations of double bond.

Parent Chain Rules for Alkynes

The ending for the parent chain is 'yne' and must include the locations of triple bond.

Double Bond Location

Must be indicated in the name, unless it is at carbon #1.

diene

Suffix used for chains with 2 double bonds.

diyne

Suffix used for chains with 2 triple bonds.

triene

Suffix used for chains with 3 double bonds.

triyne

Suffix used for chains with 3 triple bonds.

tetraene

Suffix for chains with 4 double bonds.

tetrayne

Suffix for chains with 4 triple bonds.

1 carbon side chain

Methyl.

2 carbon side chain

Ethyl.

3 carbon side chain

Prop(a).

4 carbon side chain

But(a).

5 carbon side chain

Pent(a).

6 carbon side chain

Hex(a).

7 carbon side chain

Hept(a).

8 carbon side chain

Oct(a).

9 carbon side chain

Non(a).

10 carbon side chain

Dec(a).