Department Of Biochemistry

Program
BSc MLT (2nd Semester)
Submitted to:
Mam Farah Yasmin
Submitted by:
 Ayesha Siddique  Mahnoor Khalid
 Ayesha Fatima  Kashmala Usman
 Maheen Sajjad  Zainab Pervaiz
Submission Date:
April 4, 2024
Nomenclature of Alkanes,
Alkenes, Alkynes And
Cyclic Alkanes And
Physical Properties
 Introduction Of Hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbons:
Compounds composed exclusively of carbon and
hydrogen atoms.
Types
Alkanes:
Hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms.
Alkenes:
Hydrocarbons with at least one double bond between carbon
atoms.
Alkynes:
Hydrocarbons with at least one triple bond between carbon
atoms.
Cyclic Alkanes:
Hydrocarbons forming ring-shaped structures with single
bonds.
 Importance of Hydrocarbons
Use in Fuels:
Hydrocarbons are the primary components of natural gas,
gasoline, and diesel, providing energy for heating, transportation, and
electricity generation.
Plastics Production:
Fundamental in synthesizing a vast array of plastics, serving as the
backbone for polymers.
Pharmaceuticals:
Many pharmaceuticals are derived from hydrocarbon
compounds, showcasing their versatility in medicine.
Solvents:
Hydrocarbons like toluene and hexane are used as solvents in
paints, adhesives, and cleaning agents.
Basis of Organic Chemistry and Petrochemical Industries:
Central to the development and production of a wide range of
chemical products.
 Structure of Hydrocarbons
Single Bonds (Alkanes):
Saturated hydrocarbons where carbon atoms are connected
by single bonds, making them relatively less reactive.
Double Bonds (Alkenes):
Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-
carbon double bond, increasing their reactivity.
Triple Bonds (Alkynes):
Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon
triple bond, making them even more reactive.
Cyclic Structures:
Alkanes can also form ring-shaped molecules, known as
cyclic alkanes or cycloalkanes, which have different properties from their
straight-chain counterparts. This structure should help in presenting the
foundational aspects of hydrocarbons in a clear and concise manner.
 Nomenclature Of Alkanes
Basic Naming Rules for Alkanes are the simplest class of organic
compounds, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms with single
bonds between them. The basic naming convention for alkanes follows a
simple structure:
a prefix that denotes the number of carbon atoms in the
longest continuous chain, followed by the suffix "-ane".
The prefix is derived from a standard set of names indicating the
number of carbons:

1 carbon : Meth- 6 carbons: Hex-

2 carbon : Eth- 7 carbons: Hept-
3 carbon : Prop- 8 carbons: Oct-
4 carbon : But 9 carbons: Non-
5 carbon : Pent 10 carbons: Dec-

So, for example, an alkane with three carbon atoms in its

longest chain is named propane.
 Branched Alkanes
Branched alkanes have the same basic structure as straight-chain
alkanes but include one or more alkyl groups attached to the main chain.
These alkyl groups are considered substituents and are named as such.
When naming branched alkanes, the steps include: Identify the longest
carbon chain to determine the base name of the alkane.
1. Name the substituents attached to the main chain. These are named
similarly to alkanes but with an "-yl" ending instead of "-ane".
2. Number the carbon atoms in the main chain to assign the lowest
possible numbers to the substituents.
3. Order the substituents alphabetically when listing them in the
compound's name, disregarding any prefixes like "di-", "tri-", etc., used to
indicate the number of identical substituents.
For example, if a methane group (CH₄) is attached as a branch, it
is considered a methyl group (-CH₃) and named as such.
An example of a branched alkane is 2-methylpropane. In this
molecule, a three-carbon chain serves as the base structure (propane),
and a methyl group is attached to the second carbon atom.
Examples of Alkane Nomenclature
Straight-Chain Alkanes
Methane (CH₄):
This is the simplest alkane, consisting of a single carbon atom. The
name comes from the prefix "meth-" for one carbon and the suffix "-ane"
for an alkane, making "methane.“

Ethane (C₂H₆):
This alkane has two carbon atoms connected by a single bond. The
name "ethane" combines the prefix "eth-" for two carbons with "-ane.“

Propane (C₃H₈):
With three carbon atoms in a chain, this alkane uses the prefix
"prop-" combined with "-ane" to form "propane.“
Branched Alkanes
2-Methylpropane:
In this molecule, a base chain of three carbons (propane) has a
methyl group (CH₃) attached to the second carbon. The "2-" indicates the
carbon number where the methyl group is attached, emphasizing its
position on the main chain.

2,2-Dimethylbutane:
This example features a four-carbon chain (butane) with two methyl
groups attached to the second carbon. The "2,2-" indicates the position
of each methyl group, and "dimethyl" means there are two methyl
groups. Since both substituents are attached to the same carbon, they
are both prefixed with the number 2.
Alkenes
Alkenes are a class of hydrocarbons
(i.e., containing only carbon and hydrogen).
They are unsaturated compounds with at
least one carbon-to-carbon double bond.
The double bond makes Alkenes more
reactive than alkanes.
In organic chemistry, an alkene, or
olefin, is a hydrocarbon containing a
carbon–carbon double bond. The double
bond may be internal or in the terminal
position. Terminal alkenes are also known as
α-olefins.
Alkenes contain carbon-carbon
double bonds and are unsaturated
hydrocarbons with the molecular formula is
CnH2n. This is also the same molecular
formula as cycloalkanes.
Nomenclature of alkene
The nomenclature of alkenes follows the rules set by the
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Here are the
basic guidelines:
Locate the longest carbon chain containing the double bond:

The parent chain is the longest continuous carbon chain

containing the double bond. Number the carbons in the chain starting
from the end closest to the double bond.
Identify the substituents:
Any alkyl groups or other substituents attached to the parent
chain are named as alkyl groups, and their positions are indicated by
numbers.
Name the alkene:
Replace the suffix "-ane" in the name of the alkane with "-ene" to
indicate the presence of a double bond.
Indicate the position of the double bond:
The position of the double bond is indicated by the lowest
number of the carbon atoms involved in the double bond.
Use prefixes for multiple double bonds:
If there are multiple double bonds, use the prefixes "di-"
(for two double bonds), "tri-" (for three double bonds), etc.

Use cis- and trans- to denote stereochemistry:

If applicable, use "cis-" to indicate that substituents on
the same side of the double bond and "trans-" for substituents on
opposite sides.
For example
C4H8:
CH2=CH-CH2-CH3 is named as But-1-ene.CH3-CH=CH-CH3 is
named as But-2-ene.
 Alkynes
Alkynes are hydrocarbons characterized by the presence of
at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. They have the general molecular
formula CnH2n-2 and are often found in acetylene gas, the simplest
alkyne. Alkynes is also known as “acetylene”
Nomenclature of Alkyne
Alkyne Nomenclature:
Alkynes, a class of hydrocarbons, are named by adding the
suffix "-yne" to the prefix indicating the number of carbon atoms in the
chain.
Positional Indication:
The position of the triple bond is indicated by assigning the
lowest possible number to the carbon atom that participates in the bond.
Identify the longest continuous chain containing the triple
bond:
This forms the base name. For example, a three-carbon chain with a
triple bond would be "prop-".
Number the chain to give the triple bond the lowest possible number
The triple bond should receive the lowest possible locant (number).
Numbering starts from the end nearest the triple bond, and if there's a
tie, prioritize the end nearest the substituents.
Name and number any substituents attached to the chain using prefixes
(like alkyl groups) and locants.
Indicate the triple bond using the suffix "-yne".
Examples:
Ethyne (Acetylene):
Formula: C₂H₂
IUPAC Name: Ethyne
Common Name: Acetylene
Explanation:
Ethyne is the simplest alkyne, consisting of two carbon atoms joined
by a triple bond, and is widely used in welding and organic synthesis.
1. CH₃-CH₂-CH≡CH₂ is 1-butyneCH₃-C≡C-CH₃ is 2-butyne
If there are multiple triple bonds, use prefixes like "di-" (two),
"tri-" (three), etc., and assign locants to each triple bond.
 Cyclic Alkanes
Cyclic alkanes, also known as cycloalkanes, are a class of organic
compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in
a closed ring structure. They are a subset of alkanes, which are saturated
hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms. Examples
include cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane.
Nomenclature of Cyclic Alkanes
The nomenclature of cyclic alkanes follows the general rules of organic
nomenclature, but with some specific conventions for naming the rings.
Here are the main points:
Ring Size:
The number of carbons in the ring determines the prefix. For
example, a 5-carbon ring is called cyclopentane, and a 6-carbon ring is
called cyclohexane.
Substituents:
If there are substituents attached to the ring, they are named as
alkyl groups. The numbering of the carbons in the ring starts from any
convenient carbon atom and proceeds in the direction that gives the
substituents the lowest possible numbers.
Prefixes:
The prefixes used for cyclic alkanes are cyclo-, followed by the
appropriate alkane name. For example: A 4-carbon ring with no
substituents is cyclobutane. A 3-carbon ring with a methyl group
attached is called 1-methylcyclopropane.
Position of Substituents:
Substituents are named using numbers to indicate their position
on the ring. The numbering begins at the carbon atom attached to the
substituent and continues around the ring to give the lowest set of
numbers possible.
Multiple Substituents:
When there are multiple substituents, they are listed
alphabetically in the name. The numbering should give the substituents
the lowest possible numbers.
Common Names:
Some cyclic alkanes have common names that are widely used, such as
cyclopentane, cyclohexane, etc. These names are often used instead of
systematic IUPAC names.
 Examples
Cyclopropane:
A three-carbon cyclic alkane.
Cyclohexane:
A six-carbon cyclic alkane.
1,2-dimethylcyclohexane:
Cyclohexane with two methyl groups attached at positions 1
and 2.
1-ethyl-2-methylcyclopentane:
Cyclopentane with an ethyl group at position 1 and a methyl
group at position 2.
1-methylcyclohexane:
It consists of a six-carbon ring (cyclohexane) with a methyl
group (CH3) attached to one of the carbon atoms in the ring. This
methyl group acts as a branch, altering the structure of the cyclic
alkane.
 Applications of Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons encompass a variety of organic compounds
consisting solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Understanding naming
conventions is crucial for categorizing and identifying different types of
hydrocarbons.
Real-world Applications
Synthetic Materials:
Hydrocarbons serve as essential building blocks for a wide
range of synthetic materials, including plastics, rubber, and fibers.
Fuels:
Hydrocarbons are the primary components of fossil fuels such as
petroleum, natural gas, and coal, which are vital energy sources for
transportation, heating, and electricity generation.
Chemical Industry:
Hydrocarbons are fundamental in the chemical industry, where
they are used as feedstock for producing various chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products.
 Importance of Nomenclature
Effective Communication:
Nomenclature provides a standardized way to name and
classify hydrocarbons, facilitating clear communication among scientists,
engineers, and industry professionals.
Safety and Regulation:
Accurate naming of hydrocarbons is essential for compliance
with safety regulations and environmental standards in handling,
transportation, and storage.
Research and Development:
Proper nomenclature aids in research and development
efforts by enabling precise documentation and replication of experimental
procedures and results.