substitutive nomenclature (10 rules)

1st rule

the unbranched alkanes are named according to the number of carbons

2nd rule

branched: determine the longest continuous carbon chain in the molecule (principal chain)

3rd rule

If two chains are equal in length, select the one with the most substituent (pick principal with the most branches).

4th rule

Number the principal chain, giving the lower number to the first branching point (lower number to the first substituent).

5th rule

name each branch & identify the carbon # of the principal chain at which it occurs (identify is the substituent is methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc.)

6th rule

construct the name #, substituent, and principal chain. (# where substituent is - alkane; ex: 3-methyloctane; note the hyphen)

7th rule

If principal chain contains multiple substituent groups, each substituent receives its own #. The prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, etc. are used to indicate the number of identical substituents.

8th rule

For multiple substituents, select the numbering scheme that gives the smaller number at the first point of difference.

9th rule

Cite substituents in alphabetic order regardless of location.

10th rule

If numbering is not resolved by the previous rules, the first-cited group receives the lowest number