Lesson 3: Hydrocarbon Naming & Functional Groups

Hydrocarbons
: compounds made up of H and C atoms (e.g. alkanes, alkenes, alkynes)

Prefix for # of C

• meth (1)

• eth (2)

• prop (3)

• but (4)

• pent (5)

• hex (6)

• hept (7)

• oct (8)

• non (9)

• dec (10)

Alkanes (-ane ending, single bonds)

• least complex hydrocarbon

• general formula is C_nH_2n+2

• named by prefix for # of C and -ane ending

Alkenes (-ene ending, double bonds)

• unsaturated hydrocarbons

• general formula is C_nH_2n

• named by prefix for # of C atoms, # for the double bond position, and -ene ending

  • # for double bond position is found by naming the C backbone so that the lowest number describes the double bond position

Alkynes (-yne ending, triple bonds)

• strongest and most reactive bond

• general formula is C_nH_2n-2

• named by prefix for # of C atoms, # for the triple bond position, and -yne ending

  • # for double bond position is found by naming the C backbone so that the lowest number describes the triple bond position

Functional Group
: an atom or group of atoms that replaces a H in a hydrocarbon atom

• give the atom its functionality, more reactive than H

Alcohols (-OH group)

• named by prefix for # of C atoms, # for the C and -OH group bond position, and -ol ending

Aldehydes (-C-O or -CHO group)
: organic molecule that has an O double bonded to the terminal C

• named by prefix for # of C atoms and -al

Ketones (-C-O group)

• similar to aldehydes but O is bonded to the middle C atom

• named by prefix for # of C atoms, # for the C and O double bond, -one ending