Organic Chemistry - Nomenclature

Alkanes

-chain of carbons connected by single bonds

-ane

-CnH2n+2

Meth-

one

Eth-

two

Prop-

three

But-

four

Pent-

five

hex-

six

hept-

seven

oct-

eight

dec-

ten

undec-

eleven

dodec-

twelve

Naming alkanes

1. Find longest chain in the compound

2. Number the chain

3. Name the substituents

4. Assign a number to each substituent

5. Complete the name

Cycloalkanes

-CnH2n

-carbon atoms forming a ring

-Numbered starting at the point of greatest substitution

Alkenes

-olefins

-contain carbon-carbon double bonds

Vinyl

alkynes

carbon-carbon triple bonds

acetylene

Haloalkanes

-contains halogen

-F, Cl, Br, I

-can also be named as alkyl halides

ex: ethyl chloride

alcohol

-replace "-e" of corresponding alkane with -ol.

-OH

Carboxylic Acid

Pre: carboxy-

Suff: -oic acid

Ester

Pre: alkoxycarbonyl-

Suff: -oate

Acyl Halide

Pre: halocarbonyl-

Suff: -oyl halide

Amide

Pre: amido-

Suff: -amide

Nitrile/Cyanide

Pre: cyano-

Suff: -nitrile

Aldehyde

Pre: oxo-

Suff: -al

Ketone

Pre: oxo-

Suff: -one

Thiol

RSH

Pre: sulfhydryl-

Suff: -thiol

Amine

RNH2

Pre: amino-

Suff: -amine

Imine

R2C=NR'

Pre: imino-

Suff: -imine

Ether

ROR

Pre: -alkoxy

Suff: -ether

Sulfide

R2S

Pre: alkylthio-

Halide

-I, -Br, -Cl, -F

Pre: halo-

Nitro

RNO2

Pre: nitro-

Azide

RN3

Pre: azido-

Diazo

RN2

Pre: diazo-

tert

t-

*Use dash!

neo

-no dash!

iso

-no dash!

sec

-use dash! (sec-)

diols

-aka glycols

-Suff: -diol

-two numbers necessary to distinguish the two functional groups

vicinal

Diols with hydroxyl groups of adjacent carbons

geminal

diols with hydroxyl groups on the same carbon

-aka hydrates

oxiranes

three membered rings

-common name = epoxides