Naming organic compounds
The ending names the family
| Ending | Family | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ane | alkane | methane |
| -ene | alkene | ethene |
| -ol | alcohol | ethanol |
| -oic acid | carboxylic acid | ethanoic acid |
Practice
Match each ending to its family.
The ending names the homologous series; -oic acid is a carboxylic acid.
The start counts carbons
- meth- = 1, eth- = 2, prop- = 3, but- = 4.
- A number shows where the functional group is, e.g. but-1-ene vs but-2-ene, propan-1-ol vs propan-2-ol.
Practice
A compound whose name starts with "prop-" has how many carbon atoms?
meth=1, eth=2, prop=3, but=4.
Practice
Which is an alcohol with 2 carbons?
eth- (2 carbons) + -ol (alcohol) = ethanol.
You've got it
Key idea
- ending = family: -ane, -ene, -ol, -oic acid
- start = carbon count: meth(1), eth(2), prop(3), but(4)
- a number locates the group (but-1-ene, propan-2-ol)