Summary IUPAC Nomenclature Master Sheets & Structural Formulas (Alkanes to Carboxylic Acids)

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: IUPAC
NOMENCLATURE



IUPAC Rules

1. Identify the parent hydrocarbon chain: The chain must have the following
properties:

a) Should have the maximum number of substituents .

b) Should have the maximum number of multiple bonds .

c) Should have the maximum number of single bonds.

d) Should have the maximum length .

2. Identify the parent functional group (with highest order of precedence).

3. Identify the side chains (carbon chains not in parent chain).

4. Identify remaining functional groups (grouped in alphabetical order).

5. Identify double or triple bonds.

6. Numbering the parent chain: Lowest number to substituent carbon, multiple bonds,
and prefixes.
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, ALKANES (Saturated Hydrocarbons)

Suffix added: -ane


No. of C Name Molecular Formula Structural Formula

1 Methane CH4 CH4

2 Ethane C2H6 CH3-CH3

3 Propane C3H8 CH3-CH2-CH3

4 Butane C4H10 CH3-(CH2)2-CH3

5 Pentane C5H12 CH3-(CH2)3-CH3

6 Hexane C6H14 CH3-(CH2)4-CH3

7 Heptane C7H16 CH3-(CH2)5-CH3

8 Octane C8H18 CH3-(CH2)6-CH3

9 Nonane C9H20 CH3-(CH2)7-CH3

10 Decane C10H22 CH3-(CH2)8-CH3 Page 2