How to Name Organic Compounds Using the IUPAC Method
Learn how to name hydrocarbons., Learn how to name alcohols., Learn how to name ethers, a carbon chain bonded to an oxygen that is bonded to another carbon chain., Learn how to name aldehydes., Learn how to name ketones., Learn how to name...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn how to name hydrocarbons.
Halocarbons, organic compounds containing one or more halogens, are named using the same procedure.
Take the name of the element attached (chlorine) and replace the
-ine with
-o (chloro).
Use the same group prefixes to describe the amount.
Ex:
CF3CHBrCl is named 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane. -
Step 2: Learn how to name alcohols.
An alcohol is a carbon chain with a hydroxide (OH-) attached.
Name the carbon chain, using the suffix
-anol.
Place a number in front to indicate what carbon the hydroxide is attached to.
Ex:
CH3CH2CH2(OH) is named 1-propanol. , The shorter of the two chains becomes the first part of the name (use a prefix).
Then add "oxy".
Then add the longest chain, prefixed with the ending
-ane.
Ex:
CH3OCH2CH3 is named methoxyethane.
The common name is often more commonly used.
Name the carbon chains like attached groups.
Alphabetize these and place them before the word "ether".
Ex:
CH3OCH2CH3 is named ethyl methyl ether. , An aldehyde is a carbon chain with an oxygen double bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the appropriate prefix for carbon chain and use the suffix
-anal.
No position number is required.
Ex:
CH3CH(=O) is named ethanol. , A ketone is a carbon chain with an oxygen bonded to a middle carbon.
Use the suffix
-anone and use position numbers past propanone.
Ex:
CH3CH2CH2C(=O)CH3 is named 2-pentanone. , A carboxylic acid is a carbon chain with an oxygen double bonded and a hydroxide bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the suffix
-anoic acid.
No position number is required.
Ex:
CH3CH2C(=O)OH is named propanoic acid. , An ester is a carbon chain with an oxygen both double and single bonded to one carbon.
Name the group without an oxygen (R') first.
Then name the R-C(=O)O part using the suffix
-anoate.
However, sometimes, there is a multiple bond in the R part.
In that case, use
-enoate or
-ynoate and specify where the multiple bond is.
Ex:
CH3C(=O)OCH2CH2CH2CH3 is named methyl pentanoate. , An amine is a carbon chain with an NH2 bonded to it.
Use the suffix
-amine and a position number if necessary.
Ex:
CH3CHNH2CH3 is named 2-propanamine. , An amide is a carbon chain with an NH2 and an oxygen bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the suffix
-amide (no position number required).
Ex:
CH3C(=O)NH2 is named ethanamide. -
Step 3: Learn how to name ethers
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Step 4: a carbon chain bonded to an oxygen that is bonded to another carbon chain.
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Step 5: Learn how to name aldehydes.
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Step 6: Learn how to name ketones.
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Step 7: Learn how to name carboxylic acids.
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Step 8: Learn how to name esters.
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Step 9: Learn how to name amines.
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Step 10: Learn how to name amides.
Detailed Guide
Halocarbons, organic compounds containing one or more halogens, are named using the same procedure.
Take the name of the element attached (chlorine) and replace the
-ine with
-o (chloro).
Use the same group prefixes to describe the amount.
Ex:
CF3CHBrCl is named 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane.
An alcohol is a carbon chain with a hydroxide (OH-) attached.
Name the carbon chain, using the suffix
-anol.
Place a number in front to indicate what carbon the hydroxide is attached to.
Ex:
CH3CH2CH2(OH) is named 1-propanol. , The shorter of the two chains becomes the first part of the name (use a prefix).
Then add "oxy".
Then add the longest chain, prefixed with the ending
-ane.
Ex:
CH3OCH2CH3 is named methoxyethane.
The common name is often more commonly used.
Name the carbon chains like attached groups.
Alphabetize these and place them before the word "ether".
Ex:
CH3OCH2CH3 is named ethyl methyl ether. , An aldehyde is a carbon chain with an oxygen double bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the appropriate prefix for carbon chain and use the suffix
-anal.
No position number is required.
Ex:
CH3CH(=O) is named ethanol. , A ketone is a carbon chain with an oxygen bonded to a middle carbon.
Use the suffix
-anone and use position numbers past propanone.
Ex:
CH3CH2CH2C(=O)CH3 is named 2-pentanone. , A carboxylic acid is a carbon chain with an oxygen double bonded and a hydroxide bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the suffix
-anoic acid.
No position number is required.
Ex:
CH3CH2C(=O)OH is named propanoic acid. , An ester is a carbon chain with an oxygen both double and single bonded to one carbon.
Name the group without an oxygen (R') first.
Then name the R-C(=O)O part using the suffix
-anoate.
However, sometimes, there is a multiple bond in the R part.
In that case, use
-enoate or
-ynoate and specify where the multiple bond is.
Ex:
CH3C(=O)OCH2CH2CH2CH3 is named methyl pentanoate. , An amine is a carbon chain with an NH2 bonded to it.
Use the suffix
-amine and a position number if necessary.
Ex:
CH3CHNH2CH3 is named 2-propanamine. , An amide is a carbon chain with an NH2 and an oxygen bonded to the last/first carbon.
Use the suffix
-amide (no position number required).
Ex:
CH3C(=O)NH2 is named ethanamide.
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