Classes of compound

Site: Prefrontal Learning Center
Course: (a) interpret, and use the nomenclature, general formulae and displayed formulae of the following classes of compound:
Book: Classes of compound
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Date: Friday, 20 September 2024, 9:12 AM

1. Count the number of carbon in chain

meth 1
eth 2
prop 3
but 4
pent 5
hex 6
hept 7
oct 8
non 9
dec 10

2. Suffix

The suffix identifies the principal functional group the molecule contains

Classes of organic compounds Suffix
Alkanes -ane
Alkenes -ene
Alcohols -ol
Aldehydes -al
Ketones -one
Carboxylic acids -oic acid
Esters -oate
Amines -amine
Amides -amide

2.1. Straight Chain Alkane

Alkane Molecular formula
Methane CH₄
Ethane C₂H₆
Propane C₃H₈
Butane C₄H₁₀
Pentane C₅H₁₂
Hexane C₆H₁₄
Heptane C₇H₁₆
Octane C₈H₁₈
Nonane C₉H₂₀
Decane C₁₀H₂₂


01 Multiple Choice

2.2. Straight Chain Alkene

Name Molecular Formula
Ethene C₂H₄
Propene C₃H₆
Butene C₄H₈
Pentene C₅H₁₀
Hexene C₆H₁₂
Heptene C₇H₁₄
Octene C₈H₁₆
Nonene C₉H₁₈
Decene C₁₀H₂₀


01 Multiple Choice

3. Prefix

Prefix gives the locations of the other functional groups (other than
the principal functional group) on the stem.

o Prefix is used to denote any substituent in an organic compound.
o Placed in alphabetical order if there is more than 1 prefix.
o For multiple prefix, use di, tri, etc

Substituent Group Name as Prefix
\(-CH_3\) Methyl-
\(-C_2H_5\) Ethyl-
\(-C_3H_7\) Propyl-
\(-C_4H_9\) Butyl-

Substituent Group Name as Prefix
\(-F\) Fluoro-
\(-Cl\) Chloro-
\(-Br\) Bromo-
\(-I\) Iodo-

Substituent Group Name as Prefix
\(-OH\) Hydroxy-
\(-NO_2\) Nitro-
\(-NH_2\) Amino-
\(-C_6H_5\) Phenyl-
\(-CN\) Cyano-

4. Steps to Naming Organic Compounds

(1) Identify the stem, which is the longest chain of carbon atoms.

5. Steps to Naming Organic Compounds

The parent chain is numbered so that the lowest possible number is given for the substituents. Circle the substituents


Substituent alkyl groups are at positions 2 & 4 (instead of 4 & 6).

6. Steps to naming

Name each substituent and indicate its position by the number of the carbon atom to which itis attached.

IUPAC name: 4-ethyl-2-methylheptane

7. Steps to Naming

If the carbon chain is substituted by the same group more than once, the number of identical groups is indicated by the prefixes: di, tri, tetra....

8. Steps to Naming

If there are two or more substituents, they should be named in alphabetical order (excluding the prefixes di, tri, tetra, etc.)