Introduction to Alkanes and Nomenclature

Study Notes

Alkanes are hydrocarbons containing only C-C and C-H sigma bonds.
They can be acyclic (linear or branched chains) or cyclic.
Acyclic alkanes are also known as saturated hydrocarbons, containing the maximum number of hydrogen atoms per carbon atom.

The IUPAC system names organic molecules using three parts: parent name, suffix, and prefix.
The parent name indicates the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain.
The suffix differentiates functional groups.
The prefix indicates the identity, location, and number of substituents.
Alkanes do not have functional groups, so their suffix is "-ane".
The parent chain is the longest chain, regardless of whether it is straight or branched.
Substituent names are prefixed to the parent name.
Alkyl groups are carbon substituents on a longer chain.
Alkyl groups are formed by removing a hydrogen atom from an alkane.
The "-ane" suffix is changed to "-yl" to indicate an alkyl group.

Find the longest continuous carbon chain.
Number the longest chain starting from the end that gives the lowest number to the substituent.
If there are multiple substituents, list them alphabetically.
If a substituent appears more than once, use prefixes like "di", "tri", or "tetra".
Indicate the position of each substituent with a number.
If multiple substituents are at the same position, repeat the number.

The rules for naming cyclic alkanes are similar to those for acyclic alkanes.
The prefix "cyclo" is added before the parent alkane name.
Number the ring starting at the substituent that gives the lowest numbers to the other substituents.
List substituents alphabetically.
Use numbers to indicate the position of substituents.