Recognizing and naming Skeletal Structures

In a skeletal structure, what does each line endpoint or corner usually represent?

A carbon atom.

In a skeletal structure, why are carbon atoms' hydrogens usually not drawn?

They are implied; add enough hydrogens to give carbon four total bonds.

What is the naming ending for an aldehyde?

-al

How do you recognize an aldehyde?

A carbonyl (C=O) at the end of a chain, bonded to a hydrogen: –CHO.

What is the naming ending for a ketone?

-one

How do you recognize a ketone?

A carbonyl (C=O) bonded to carbon groups on both sides.

What is the naming ending for an alcohol?

-ol

How do you recognize an alcohol?

An –OH group bonded to a carbon.

What is the naming ending for a carboxylic acid?

-oic acid

How do you recognize a carboxylic acid?

A –COOH group: a carbonyl (C=O) and –OH attached to the same carbon.

What is the naming ending for an ester?

-oate

How do you recognize an ester?

A carbonyl attached to an oxygen that is attached to another carbon: –C(=O)–O–C–.

What is the naming ending for an amide?

-amide

How do you recognize an amide?

A carbonyl carbon directly attached to nitrogen, such as –C(=O)NH₂.

How do you distinguish an amine from an amide?

An amine has nitrogen without a carbonyl directly attached to it; an amide has nitrogen directly attached to a carbonyl carbon.

How do you recognize an amine?

A nitrogen-containing group, such as –NH₂, –NHR, or –NR₂, not directly attached to a carbonyl.

How do you recognize an ether?

An oxygen single-bonded to two carbon groups: C–O–C.

How do you recognize an alkene?

A carbon–carbon double bond: C=C.

How do you recognize an alkyne?

A carbon–carbon triple bond: C≡C.

How do you recognize a nitrile?

A carbon–nitrogen triple bond: C≡N.

How do you recognize an aromatic ring such as benzene?

A six-membered carbon ring with alternating double bonds or a circle representing delocalized electrons.

How do you recognize an alkyl halide?

A carbon bonded to a halogen: F, Cl, Br, or I.

How do you recognize a thiol?

A sulfhydryl group: –SH.

How do you recognize a sulfide (thioether)?

A sulfur bonded to two carbon groups: C–S–C.

What is the example of an aldehyde from our naming list?

Propanal.

What is the example of a ketone from our naming list?

Propanone.

What is the example of an alcohol from our naming list?

Ethanol.

What is the example of a carboxylic acid from our naming list?

Ethanoic acid.

What is the example of an amide from our naming list?

Ethanamide.

What is the example of an ester from our naming list?

Methyl ethanoate.

Example Pic