2.2 Nomenclature of Alkanes

As we have realized that the number of constitutional isomers increases dramatically as the number of carbons increases, it is impossible to give each structure its own common name, like isobutane. So, a systematic method with certain rules is necessary when it comes to naming organic compounds. In this book, we will learn about IUPAC nomenclature; it is also the systematic nomenclature that has been widely adopted internationally. IUPAC nomenclature was initially designed by a commission for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in 1892, and it has been continually revised by the commission since then.

IUPAC NOMENCLATURE of ALKANES

Identify the longest continuous carbon chain as the parent chain. This chain determines the parent name (or last name) of the alkane.

If there are two choices of the same length, then the parent chain is the longest chain with the greatest number of “branches”. The term substituent will be used from now on as the official name for “branch”.

Number the chain beginning at the end that is closest to any substituents, thus ensuring the lowest possible numbers for positions of substituents.
Use these numbers to designate the location of the substituent groups, whose names are obtained by changing the “-ane” suffix to “-yl“.

The substituents derived from alkane are also called alkyl groups.

CH3 (methyl, Me), CH3CH2 (ethyl, Et), CH3CH2CH2 (Proply, Pr), & CH3CH2CH2CH2 (butyl, Bu) — Figure 2.2a Normal alkyl groups

If an alkyl substituent group appears more than once, use the prefixes di, tri, tetra, penta, hexa (meaning 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 respectively) for each type of alkyl group.
List the substituent groups alphabetically (use the substituent group name from step 3, ignore the prefixes from 4, but include “iso” and “cyclo”).
Write the name as a single word. Numbers are separated from letters by “-“; numbers are separated by “,”.

Alkane Naming Examples:

6 carbon & an ethyl group on the third carbon — Figure 2.2c 3-ethylhexane

5 carbon and a methyl on the second and third carbon — Figure 2,2d 2,3-dimethylpentane

8 carbon & an ethyl on the fourth and methyl on the third carbon — Figure 2.2e 4-ethyl-3-methyloctane

10 carbon with ethyl's on the fifth and seventh carbon, methyl's on the third, fourth & seventh carbon, & propyl on the fifth — Figure 2,2f 5,7-diethyl-3,4,7-trimethyl-5-propyldecane

More notes about the branched alkyl groups:

The common names of the branched alkyl groups have been used broadly, and are adopted as part of the IUPAC system. Understanding the origin of these common names is very helpful in distinguishing and memorizing the names.

Three-carbon branched alkyl groups

Both of the two 3-carbon branched alkyl groups come from propane. Since propane has two types of hydrogens, primary (1°) and secondary (2°), so there are two alkyl groups depends on which H is removed.

when H removed from middle (2°) then it is isopropyl, when H removed from end (1°) is propyl — Figure 2.2g The primary and secondary hydrogen of propane

Four-carbon branched alkyl groups

Out of the four 4-carbon branched alkyl groups, two come from butane and the other two come from isobutane (or 2-methylpropane).

when primary hygrogen removed from butane it is butyl, when secondary hydrogen removed it is sec-butyl — Figure 2.2h The primary and secondary hydrogen of butane

when the primary hydrogen removed then isobutyl, when tertiary hydrogen removed then tert-butyl — Figure 2.2i The primary and tertiary hydrogen of isobutane

IUPAC name of branched alkyl groups

The branched alkyl groups can also be named by the IUPAC rules. To do that, they are treated as if it were a compound itself. Begin numbering at the point of attachment to the parent chain, and number the branches the same as before to avoid confusion. The complex substituent name is put in parentheses when the name of the complete molecule is written.

For the example of isobutyl below, the part that connect directly onto the parent chain has 3 carbons, so it is “propyl”. There is another CH₃ on the 2^nd carbon of propyl, therefore the whole group is called “2-methylpropyl”.

Naming of Cycloalkanes

Cycloalkanes are alkanes that contain a ring(s) as part of the structure. For the cycloalkane that contain one ring, there are two fewer hydrogens than the non-cyclic alkane, so the general formula of cycloalkanes with one ring is C_nH_2n.

IUPAC NOMENCLATURE of CYCLOALKANES

The parent name is “cycloalkane”.
Number the ring to provide the lowest possible numbering sequence (when two such sequences are possible, cite substituents in alphabetical order and the No.1 position is given to first cited substituent).

Example:

cycloalkane has 6 carbons with 2 methyl's on the first and a chloro on the third — Figure 2.2k 1,1-dimethyl-3-chlorocyclohexane & 1-ethyl-3-methylcyclohexane

3. When both ring and chain are included in the structure, compare the number of carbons in ring vs chain, and select the one with more carbons as the parent structure; the other is treated as a substituent.

Example:

4. When higher priority functional groups are present (more in section 2.2), parent structure will contain that functional group.

Example:

2.3 Functional Groups

Chemistry

Notes

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2.2 Nomenclature of Alkanes

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