Alkene Nomenclature

Alkene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound with a double bond (–C = C–). The simplest
alkene is ethene, C2H4. The general formula is C2H2n alkenes. The following table presents the
alkene homologous series

Problems example :

Consider the following structural formula for hydrocarbon compounds!

H2
H3C C C CH2

CH3

What is the name of the hydrocarbon compound?

Work Procedure:

1. The first step is to determine the main chain. The main chain is the longest chain and
contains double bonds

H2
H3C C C CH2

CH3
 2. Give the number, of each carbon atoms, the numbering is begin in the carbon atom
that nearest with the double bond. Remember you have to pay attention to the triple
bond ammount if it’s more than one you should add prefix (di, tri, tert, etc)

4 H2 2 1
H3C C C CH2
3

CH3
3. Identify the branch, such as alkyl compound or etc, on the alkenes compound.

4 H2 2 1
H3C C C CH2
3

CH3
CH3  Methyl

Whereas the alkyl group from those alkEnes structure are : CH3  Methyl.
Remember, if you find the same alkyl group more than one you should add prefix
(di,tri, tert-, etc) in to the name of the same branch.

4. Write down the branch at first then followed by the main chain instead. Separate it
with dash (-) . The right arrangement is Number of branch position- branch name
(alkyl group name- number of double bond position- the name of alkynes in main
chain).

4 H2 2
1
H3C C C CH2
3

CH3
2 – methyl – 1 - butene