Nomenclature of organic compounds

• Hydrocarbons can be classified as:

  • aliphatic
  • alicyclic
  • aromatic
• Aliphatic: carbon atoms are joined to each other in unbranched, or branched chains, or non-aromatic rings.
• Alicyclic: carbon atoms are joined to each other in ring (cyclic) structures, with or without branches.
• Aromatic: some or all of the carbon atoms are found in a benzene ring.
• Naming compounds containing functional groups

  1. Identify the longest unbranched chain of carbon atoms. The stem is now the name of the corresponding alkane.
  2. Identify any functional groups and any alkyl side chains, and select the appropriate prefixes or suffixes for them.
  3. Number any alkyl groups and functional groups to indicate their position on the longest unbranched chain.
• Alkene

  Functional group: C=C

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -ene

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n}$

  Functional group isomers: cycloalkanes
• Alcohol

  Functional group: -OH

  Prefix: hydroxy-

  Suffix: -ol

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n+2}O$

  Functional group isomers: ether
• Haloalkane

  Functional group: -Cl -Br -I

  Prefix: Chloro- bromo- iodo-

  Suffix:

  General formula:$C_nH_{2n+1}X$

  Functional group isomer:
• Aldehyde

  Functional group: -CHO

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -al

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n}O$

  Functional group isomers: ketones

  
• Ketone

  Functional group: -C(CO)C-

  Prefix: oxo-

  Suffix: -one

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n}O$

  Functional group isomers: aldehyde

  
• Carboxylic acid

  Functional group: -COOH

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -oic acid

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n}O_2$

  Functional group isomers: ester

  
• Carboxylic acid

  Functional group: -COOC-

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -oate

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n}O_2$

  Functional group isomers: ester

  
• Acyl chloride

  Functional group: -COCl

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -oyl chloride

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n-1}OCl$

  Functional group isomers:

  
• Amine

  Functional group: -NH2

  Prefix: amino-

  Suffix: -amine

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n+3}N$

  Functional group isomers:
• Nitrile

  Functional group: -CN

  Prefix:

  Suffix: -nitrile

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n-1}CN$

  Functional group isomers:
• Ether

  Functional group: -COC-

  Prefix: alkoxy-

  Suffix: -ether

  General formula: $C_nH_{2n+2}O$

  Functional group isomers: alcohol