Chemistry

Methane

CH₄

Ethane

CH₃CH₃

Ethene

CH₂=CH₂

Ethyne

HC≡CH

Methanol

CH₃OH

Ethanol

CH₃CH₂OH

Formaldehyde

HCHO

Acetone

CH₃COCH₃

Acetic acid

CH₃COOH

1 carbon

meth-

2 carbons

eth-

3 carbons

prop-

4 carbons

but-

5 carbons

pent-

6 carbons

hex-

7 carbons

hept-

8 carbons

oct-

9 carbons

non-

10 carbons

dec-

Common name

A simple/traditional name used for a chemical.

Alkyl group

A group made from an alkane after removing one H; it can attach to something else.

Butyl group

A 4-carbon group: C₄H₉–

n-butyl

4 carbons in a straight line.

sec-butyl

4 carbons with the attachment on the 2nd carbon.

isobutyl

4 carbons that are branched; attachment is through a CH₂.

tert-butyl

4 carbons that are highly branched; attachment is to the middle carbon.

n-

Means normal/straight.

sec-

Means the attachment is on a secondary carbon.

iso-

Means the carbon chain is branched.

tert-

Means the attachment is on a tertiary carbon.

n-butyl structure

CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–CH₂–

sec-butyl structure

CH₃–CH₂–CH(CH₃)–

isobutyl structure

(CH₃)₂CH–CH₂–

tert-butyl structure

(CH₃)₃C–

Diol

An alcohol with 2 OH groups.

Triol

An alcohol with 3 OH groups.

Di-

Means 2.

Tri-

Means 3.