16.2 Naming Alkanes
| RULES FOR NAMING ALKANES | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the longest continuous carbon chain (a.k.a the parent chain). |
| 2 | Number the carbons in the parent chain starting on the end closest to the first substituent. |
| 3 | Identify the substituents attached to the parent chain. Carbon substituents end with the suffix -yl (methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc.). -For multiple identical substituents use the prefix di-, tri-, tetra- etc. -Use the chain number (and a hyphen) as the locator before each substituent. -For multiple identical substituents list all chain locators separated by commas. |
| 4 | List substituents in alphabetical order. In determining alphabetical order ignore numerical prefixes (di, tri, tetra, etc.). -Use the chain number (and a hyphen) as the locator before each substituent. -For multiple identical substituents use the prefixes di-, tri-, tetra- etc. -For multiple identical substituents list all chain locators separated by commas. |
| 5 | The name ends with the name of the parent chain. There should NOT be a space between the substituents and the name of the parent chain. Cyclic parent chains use the prefix cyclo-. |
| Prefixes |
|---|
| 1 meth |
| 2 eth |
| 3 prop |
| 4 but |
| 5 pent |
| 6 hex |
| 7 hept |
| 8 oct |
| 9 non |
| 10 dec |
| 11 undec |
| 12 dodec |
Name the following alkanes:
