Nomenclature

Do Now:

Write as much as you can

remember about
alkanes/alkenes and the
rules for naming them.

E.g. if it has 4 carbons it

starts with…
 Complete the tables

no. of Stem for name

carbons
Homologous Prefix or example
series suffix
1 Alkanes
2 Alkenes
3 Alcohols
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
 Mark your work
no. of Stem for
carbons name Homologous Prefix or example
series suffix
1 Meth-
Alkanes -ane
2 Eth-
Alkenes -ene
3 Prop-
Alcohols -ol
4 But-
5 Pent-
6 Hex-
7 Hept-
8 Oct-
9 Non-
10 Dec-
 What’s the point?!
Why would we bother naming things in the same way?
 IUPAC
The International Union of
Pure and Applied
Chemistry

So what?
Historical names (e.g. acetic acid, formic acid) meant
nothing to other scientists in different countries
Writing (and drawing) alkanes: There are several different
formulas that can be used to present the structure of an
alkane. Take butane: It shows
the number
C4H10 This is the molecular formula. of each
type of
atom.
This is the structural
It shows the
formula. positions of the
atoms.

This is the displayed

formula. This displays all the
atoms and bonds.

This is the skeletal

It shows the
formula. backbone of the
molecule.
Drawing skeletal formula:
The skeletal formula for a molecules does not show any
hydrogens that are directly attached to carbons. The
carbons are represented as the ends of straight lines.
Butane has four carbons: This carbon is already
making 1 bond, so
the other 3 must be
Because we know to hydrogens.
carbon makes 4 2 4
This carbon is already
bonds we can These
1 makinglines
2 bonds, so it
assume how 3
represent the bonds
must also have 2
many hydrogens between the carbon
hydrogens.
are also attached atoms.
to each carbon.
Naming alkanes: The name of an organic compound is directly related
to the number of carbon atoms in the compound.

Name Number Formula Name This table shows the first

of prefix
carbons 10 straight chain
Methan 1 CH4 Meth- alkanes. They are the
e
Ethane 2 C2H6 Eth- easiest to name as it is
Propan 3 C3H8 Prop- just the prefix for the
e number of carbons +
Butane 4 C4H10 But-
‘ane.’
Pentane 5 C5H12 Pent-
Hexane 6 C6H14 Hex- Not all alkanes are straight
Heptan 7 C7H16 Hept- chained, draw the displayed
e
formula for butane, can you
Octane 8 C8H18 Oct-
draw it in any other way?
Nonane 9 C9H20 Non-
 NOMENCLATURE
GUIDE
IUPAC Nomenclature Rules
Rule 1: Finding the parent hydrocarbon (Find and
name the longest continuous carbon chain).
Rule 2: Numbering the carbon chain (Number the
chain consecutively, starting at the end nearest a
substituent group).
Rule 3: Assigning the prefix and the locant
(Designate the location of each substituent group by
an appropriate number and name).
If the carbon chain is in a loop the prefix is Rule 4: Assembling the full name
cyclo e.g. cyclohexane, cyclohexan-1-ol (Assemble the name, listing groups in alphabetical
order using the full name).

IUPAC second rule tells us to start numbering from the end

where we first meet a substituent. Hence, the green way is the
right way to number the carbon atoms.
 At this stage you will
not need to learn how
to name all the
functional groups but
they are useful to
illustrate the principle
of naming.
 IUPAC Rules for Nomenclature

1. Find and name the longest continuous carbon chain. AKA

parent chain
2. Identify and name groups attached to this chain.
3. Number the chain consecutively, starting at the end nearest a
substituent group.
4. Designate the location of each substituent group by an
appropriate number and name.
5. Assemble the name, listing groups in alphabetical order.
The prefixes di, tri, tetra etc., used to designate several groups of the
same kind, are not considered when alphabetizing.
 IUPAC Rules for Nomenclature
1. Find and name the longest continuous carbon chain. AKA
parent chain
How many carbons long is each chain in the molecule? Draw the
displayed formula out, highlight the longest chain and circle the
functional groups not in the chain.
 Commas and dashes
• Use commas between numbers
• Use dashes between numbers and letters

• And one other thing; when arranging your substituent

groups in alphabetical order the di, tri, tetra, etc do not
count
 Worked example 1

1. 3 carbons in the longest

chain → prop
3 2 1 2. has an –OH functional group
→ alcohol
Has a methane group → methyl
3. Number the chain (see
diagram)
4. 2-methyl
5. 2-methylpropan-1-ol
 Worked example 2
1. 5 carbons in the longest chain →
pentane
2. has 2 chloro- groups → dichloro
Has a methane group → methyl
3. Number the chain (see diagram)
1 2 3 5 4. 1,1-dichloro-3-methyl
1 3 5. 1,1-dichloro-3-methylpentane
2 4
Remember: when arranging your
substituent groups in alphabetical order
the di, tri, tetra, etc do not count
 Correct the mistakes
You have 1 minute to discuss with a partner all the
mistakes in the naming of the following compounds
 H Cl

H3C C C CH2

OH
CH3 H

Name A:
2-methyl-3-chloro-butan-4-ol
Name B:
3-methyl-2-chloro-butan-1-ol
 2-chloro-3-methylbutan-1-ol
Key
Incorrect number
H Cl
Dash or comma
4 1
3 2
H3C C C CH2

OH
CH3 H

Name A:
2-methyl-3-chloro-butan-4-ol
Not alphabetical
Name B:
3-methyl-2-chloro-butan-1-ol
Not alphabetical although numbers are correct
 Cl Cl

H3C C C CH2

CH3
CH3 Br

Name A:
4-methyl-3-4-dichloro-3-bromo-pentane
Name B:
3-bromo-3,4-dichloro-4-methyl-pentane
3-bromo-2,3-dichloro-3-methylpentane
Key
Incorrect number
Cl Cl
Dash or comma
1 4
2 3
H3C C C CH2
5
CH3
CH3 Br

Name A:
4-methyl-3-4-dichloro-3-bromo-pentane
Not alphabetical
Name B:
3-bromo-3,4-dichloro-4-methyl-pentane
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Name these molecules
Draw the following molecules

pentan-2,4-dione
Draw the following molecules
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 Plenary
• Write out the rules for naming organic compounds in a
format of your choosing (e.g. flow diagram)
• Do not just copy them out: try very hard to do them from
memory now you have practiced using them