Organic Nomenclature (Naming organic compounds)

• Organic compounds


  • Propane
  • Methane
  • Ethane
• Organic Nomenclature (naming organic compounds)

  The systematic naming of organic compounds is done using rules outlined by IUPAC-the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemists
• Parts of an organic compound name


  • Prefix
  • Stem
  • Suffix
• Prefix


  The beginning part of the name
• Stem


  The main or key part of the name
• Suffix


  The end of the name
• Organic compound name structure

  Prefix-Stem-Suffix
• Stem


  Tells us the number of carbon atoms that make up the longest continuous chain (or ring) forming the "backbone" of the molecule
• Stems


  • meth
  • eth
  • prop
  • but
  • pent
  • hex
  • hept
  • oct
  • non
  • dec
• Suffix


  The name's "ending" and it tells us the type of carbon-carbon bonds present in the main carbon chain
• Suffixes


  • -
  • ene
  • yne
• Prefix


  Gives information about the SIDE GROUPS or RINGS of carbon that have replaced H atoms on the main carbon chain
• In this course only two types of side groups need to be considered, alkyl groups (shorter chains of carbon atoms than the longest backbone) or halides