1

Lecture 9
II. Nomenclature Rules For Alkenes
1. The parent name will be the longest carbon chain that contains both carbons of the double bond. Drop
the -ane suffix of the alkane name and add the –ene suffix. Never name the double bond as a prefix. If a
double bond is present, you have an alkene, not an alkane.
alkane + -ene = alkene
2. Begin numbering the chain at the end nearest the double bond. Always number through the double
bond and identify its position in the longest chain with the lower number. In the older IUPAC rules the
number for the double bond was placed in front of the stem name with a hyphen. Under the newer rules,
the number for the double bond is placed right in front of “ene”, with hyphens. We will use the newer
rules for specifying the location of pi bonds.
1 2 3 4 5 6
H3C CH CH CH2 CH2 CH3

hex-2-ene (newer rules)

2-hexene (older rules)

3. Indicate the position of any substituent group by the number of the carbon atom in the parent (longest)
chain to which it is attached.

1 2 3 4 5 CH3
H3C CH2 CH CH CH CH CH3
6 7
CH3 Numbering is determined by the double bond,
not the branches, because the double bond has
5,6-dimethylhept-3- ene (newer rules) higher priority than any alkyl branch.
5,6-dimethyl-3-heptene (older rules)

4. Number cycloalkenes so that the double bond is 1,2 (number through the double bond). Number in the
direction about the ring so that the lowest number is used at the first point of difference.

6 6 3
3
5 1 4 2
4 2 5 1
4 2 5 1
5 1 4 2
3 6
6 3
cyclohexene 1-methylcyclohex-1-ene 3-methylcyclohex-1-ene 1,6-dimethylcyclohex-1-ene
(No number is needed (Numbers are optional here.) (Numbered to give the (The first methyl decides the
because it has to be "1".) methyl the lowest number.) direction of the numbering.)

5. One method to designate the geometry about a carbon-carbon double bond having two different groups
on each carbon is by using "cis" (if two similar groups are on the same side) or "trans" (if two similar
groups are on opposite sides). The two sides referred to are determined by a plane running through the
two, connected carbons of the double bond, parallel to the p orbitals of the π bond. If cis/trans identifiers
are used, the similar groups are usually obvious. Note that if there are two identical groups attached to
the same carbon of the double bond, then cis/trans structures do not exist (they are not possible).
Cis/trans isomers can also be called “geometric isomers”. They represent a special type of stereoisomer
and can also be called diastereomers. We will study these terms in the chapter on stereochemistry.
 2
Lecture 9
dividing plane,
parallel to π bond

H H H H H
C C C C C C C C
H R H R

cis trans
similar groups are similar groups are No cis/trans is possible if two similar
on the same side on the opposite side groups are on the same carbon.

If four different groups are attached to the carbons of the double bond, you need to use the E/Z
nomenclature convention. In the E/Z system of classification the atoms attached to each carbon of a
double bond are assigned a priority based on atomic number. Higher atomic number atoms are assigned
a higher priority. In organic chemistry we are mostly concerned with the halogens, oxygen, nitrogen,
hydrogen and occasionally sulfur or phosphorous. It would seem like nothing could be lower than a
hydrogen, but a lone pair of electrons is the lowest of all (…so I > Br > Cl > S > P > F > O > N > C > H
> lone pair of electrons). If the attached groups are different, but the directly attached atoms are identical,
the highest priority path must be followed until a distinction can be made.
The relative positions of the high priority groups at each carbon of the double bond are compared.
If the two high priority groups (on different carbons) are on the same side of the double bond, they are
classified as Z from the German word zussammen, meaning together (…notice “same” in the middle of
zussamen?…or think "Z-BIG groups are on Z-SAME side”, said with a French accent). If the high
priority groups (on different carbons) are on opposite sides of the double bond, then the double bond is
classified as E from the German word "entegegan", for opposite. To interconvert one geometric isomer
to the other requires enough energy to break the π bond (typically, over 60 kcal/mole). Background
thermal energy is about 20 kcal/mole, so this interchange is very slow. Each carbon of the double bond
with the two different groups is called a stereogenic center (or atom), because if the two groups are
switched, a new stereoisomer is formed. The symbols E and Z specify the configuration of the double
bond.

1 1 1 2
1 = higher priority group
C C C C
2 = lower priority group
2 2 2 1
Z stereochemistry E stereochemistry

The priority rules are quite extensive to cover all of the possibilities (to classify every E/Z
scenario…and later, R/S configurations). We will not look at all such possibilities, but will focus on
some that are more common. These rules arose from a state of confusion that existed up to about the
middle 1950's, when three chemists cleared things up with a set of defining rules. Cahn, Ingold and
Prelog were the chemists and that has become the name of the defining rules (“CIP” for short).
Some basics rules of the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog sequence rules for defining priorities are listed below (E/Z
here and R/S in the stereochemistry topic). We will elaborate these rules in our chapter on
stereochemistry.
 3
Lecture 9
1. Higher atomic number = higher priority (typical possibilities in organic chemistry:
I > Br > Cl > S > P > F > O > N > C > H > lone pair)

2. If two (or more) directly attached atoms are the same, then compare the atoms attached to
them in order of decreasing priority, (based on atomic number). Make a designation at the
first point of difference. Always follow the highest priority path along each atom to make the
designation. A single higher priority atom takes precedence over any number of lower priority
atoms.

3. Double and triple bonds are treated as if they are bonded to the same atoms two or three times,
respectively. However, those hypothetical atoms do not continue beyond that connection, as
real atoms would.
Problem 1 - Classify the order of priorities among each group below. The "*" specifies attachment to a
stereogenic center.

a. NH2 CH2F CH2CH2Cl CH2CH2CH2I

CH3
O
b. CH2F OH CH2CH2C C CH3
OH CH3

O O
c. F CH2Cl C N C C
OCH 3 Cl

H H
CH3
C F C H
d. C C C C H C C CH3 C CH2CH3
H CH3 CH3

H H H H H H H H H H
C C C C C C C C C C
e. C C H C C H C C H C C H C C H
C C C C C C C C C C
H 3C H H H HO CH2 H C H H F
N
 4
Lecture 9
Problem 2 - Classify each alkene, below, as E, Z or no stereochemistry present.

a O H3C c
b
Cl C OH H 2N CH CH3 H 3C
C C C C C C
H CH2 Br HO CH2 CH2 NH2 H

d. H
e. H 3C CH3 f.
H3C H O
O C CH H3C S
C C 3
C C C C N H
H
C O S
C NH2
H

g. O OCH 3 O OCH 3 OCH3

Br Br
All small rings are "cis" inside the ring, but not all are Z. The E/Z terms are part of a classification system.
If you change any atom in a structure, you may alter the priorities and change the absolute configuration (E or Z).

6. Rings having a double bond and seven carbons or less are only stable with a cis geometry. The cis
designation is almost never explicitly written in such rings, but understood to be required.

These are all known

to be cis, so no
identifier is required.
cyclopropene cyclopropene cyclopropene cyclopropene cyclopropene

It is too difficult for trans groups to connect to one another until there are at least 8 atoms. Even
in a cyclooctene, the trans stereoisomer is about 10 kcal/mole less stable than the cis isomer. However, if
the ring gets big enough, the trans isomer becomes the more stable stereoisomer, as is our usual
expectation.
H H CH2
H H H2C
C C C C H CH2
H 2C CH2 C C
H 2C CH2 H2C H
CH2
H 2CCH2 H 2C
1Z-cycloalkene 1Z-cyclooctene 1E-cyclooctene

H
C C = rear p orbital Small ring trans-cycloalkenes are
H H less stable because of loss of overlap
H
of p orbitals in the π bond due to the
distortion of the connecting bridge
1E-cycloalkene = front p orbital
and raises their potential energy,
making them less stable.
 5
Lecture 9
7. If more than one double bond is present, the prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, etc. are used for 2, 3, 4, etc. of
the double bonds. An "a" is added between the "alk" stem and the “ene” suffix part for better phonetics
(i.e., alkadiene, alkatriene, etc.) A number is required for each double bond present. Place any numbers
right in front of the “ene” prefix. (Remember, one always uses the lower of the two numbers possible for
each occurance of a double bond.) The cis/trans nomenclature should be indicated just previous to each
number, when relevant. A hyphen separates the letters from the numbers. Cis and trans are italicized
when typed or underlined when written, and they are not alphabetized when applicable. If E/Z terms are
used to specify the pi bond configuration, they can be written just after the number or all of the
configurations can be placed in parentheses in the front of the name.
alk + a + diene = alka-#,#-diene
alk + a + triene = alka-#,#,#-triene
alk + a + tetraene = alka-#,#,#,#-tetraene
8
7 7
1 7 8
6 6
2 3 1 6 5
2 3 1 2
4 5 5 4
4 3
octa-trans-2-cis-5-diene 6-ethyl-6-methylocta-trans-2-cis-4,7-triene hepta-1-cis-3-trans- 5-triene

octa-2E,5Z-diene 6-ethyl-6-methylocta-2E,4Z,7-triene hepta-1,3Z,5E-triene

(2E,5Z)-octa-2,5-diene (2E,4Z)-6-ethyl-6-methylocta-2,4,7-triene (3Z,5E)-hepta-1,3,5-triene

8. If a double bond branches off a longest chain or cyclic structure, the branch stem ends in
“-ylidene”. The one carbon example is an exception and is called “methylene“. (We won’t use this rule.)
2 3

1 4
6 5
4-methyl-1-ethylidenecyclohexane iospropylidene propylidene 1-ethylidene-4-methylenecyclohexane

1 2

6 3
5 4
cyclopentylidene methylenecyclopentane 6-methyl-3-methylenecyclohex-1-ene

9. When double bonds are present in lower priority substituent branches, they are named as indicated
above with the C1 carbon being the point of attachment to the parent chain. As a substituent, the name
will end in “yl” as in alkenyl, not alkene.

high priority
# # # # chain =
#-ethenyl #-(prop-2-enyl) #-(prop-trans-1-enyl) #-(prop-cis-1-enyl)
or #-vinyl or #-allyl #-(prop-1E-enyl) #-(prop-1Z-enyl)
 6
Lecture 9
3' 4'
4'
2' 5' 3' 5'
1' 2'
1'
#
#-(5,5-dimethylcyclopent-2-enyl) #
#-(4-methylpent-trans-2-enyl)
No E/Z is necessary because #-(4-methylpent-2E-enyl)
of the small size of the ring.

The following are some examples of frequently encountered alkene substituent and compound
“trivial” or "common" names. You should learn “vinyl” and “allyl”.
H H
H
H C H C
H C C H
C X C CH2 X
H H
H
vinyl "X" common: ethylene
allyl "X" IUPAC: ethene

H H H H
H C C H H C C
C CH3 H C C C H
C
H H CH3
H
common: propylene common: allene common: isoprene
IUPAC: propene IUPAC: propa-1,2-diene IUPAC: 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene

Examples (You should know how to name all of the following except f.)
2'
a. b. 3' 6
1' CH3 c.
H 3C CH3 5
H C CH CH3 1
C C
C C45 2
H 3C H CH3 4
H3C 2 3 H 6 3
1

d. 3 e. 2 1 f. 7
4 2 6 1
3 8
1 5 2
5 6 4 7
4 3
5 6

a. 2-methylbut-2-ene (no E/Z or cis/trans possible with two identical groups on one carbon)
b. 4-(2-methylcycloprop-2-enyl)-4,5-dimethylhex-2E-ene
c. 1-ethyl-4-heptylcyclohexa-1,4-diene (numbers based on alphabetical order)
d. 1,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene (numbers based on the first methyl group)
e. 1-allyl-6-vinylcycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene or 1-ethenyl-6-(prop-2-enyl)cycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene
f. 3-isopropylidene-7-methylene-1-cycloheptene
 7
Lecture 9

Problem 3 – Provide an acceptable name for each of the following structures. (Know how to name a, b,
c, d, g, h and i.)

a. b. c. d. e.

f. g. h. i.

III. Nomenclature Rules For Alkynes

1. Pick the longest carbon chain which contains the triple bond as the parent name. Drop the -ane suffix
of the alkane name and add -yne.
alkane + yne = alkyne
2. Begin numbering the chain at the end nearest the triple bond to assign it the lowest possible number.
Write the number immediately preceding “yne” with hyphens on both sides. Triple bonds do not have
E/Z stereoisomer possibilities, because of their linear shape, so these terms are not needed.
R C C R No E/Z stereoisomers possible

3. Indicate any substituent groups by the number of the carbon atom in the longest chain to which they
are attached.
1
2 3 4 5 6
7 6-ethyl-7-methyloct-3-yne
8

4. Number cycloalkynes so that the triple bond is 1,2 (number through the triple bond). Number in the
direction about the ring so that the lowest number is used at the first point of difference. Like the
cycloalkenes, there are no stable cycloalkynes until there are at least 8 atoms in the ring (cyclooctyne). It
takes that many atoms to reach around and attach the ends to one another. Even with eight atoms in the
ring the linear shapr of the triple bond is distorted, producing a higher potential energy state and more
reactive triple bond. (Build a model and look at it.)
CH2
At least 8 atoms are needed H2C
in a ring containing a triple
bond to connect the opposite H2C C C CH2
sides of the triple bond. CH2
C
H2
front-on view top-down view
 8
Lecture 9
6. If more than one triple bond is present, a numerical prefix is used to indicate the appropriate number of
triple bonds. A position number is provided for each occurrence. Hence, alka-#,#-diyne, alka-#,#,#-
triyne, alka-#,#,#,#-tetrayne, etc. are used for 2, 3, 4, etc. of the triple bonds.

alk + a + diyne = alka-#,#-diyne

alk + a + triene = alka-#,#,#-triyne
alk + a + tetrayne = alka-#,#,#,#-tetrayne

9. When triple bonds are present in lower priority substituent branches, they are named as indicated
above with the C1 carbon being the point of attachment to the parent chain. As a substituent, the name
will end in “yl” as in alkynyl, not alkyne.
5
6 4
4'
3' 5'
1 3 2'
2 1'
1-methyl-3-(4-methylpent-3-ynyl)cyclohexa-1,3-diene

The following are some examples of frequently encountered compound and alkyne substituent “trivial” or
"common" names. You should know “propargyl”.
X
H C C CH2 H C C H R C C R CH3 C C CH2CH3

propargyl "X" common: acetylene common: dialkylacetylene common: ethylmethylacetylene

IUPAC: ethyne IUPAC: pent-2-yne
Examples (You should know all of these.)
a. b. c.
1 2 3 4
5 8
5
7 6 4
6 7 4 3 2
6 5
8 3
1 2 1

d. e.

6 1 1' 2' 3'

2' 1'
4 5 5' 3'
4' 5
1 2 3
4 2
3

a. 4-ethyl-5-methylhex-2-yne
b. 4-(2,2-dimethylcycloprop-1-enyl)-6-isopropylcyclooct-1-yne
c. 2,2,7-trimethylocta-3,5-diyne
d. 1-cyclopentyl-3-ethyl-4,4-dimethylpent-1-yne
e. 5-(1-methylpent-2-ynyl)-1-(2-methylprop-2-enyl)cyclohex-1-ene
 9
Lecture 9

Problem 4 - Provide an acceptable name for each of the following structures. (Know how to do all of
these.) (You should know all of these.)
a.
b. c.

d. e.

IV. Nomenclature Rules If Both Alkene(s) and Alkyne(s) Are Present

If both double and triple bonds are present, the parent name becomes alk-#-en-#-yne (the alkene part
always comes before the alkyne part). Numbers are required for every pi bond. The numbers for any
alkene(s) are placed directly in front of “ene” and separated from the name with hyphens and the number
for any alkyne(s) are placed prior to “yne”, also separated by hyphens. Because the trailing “yne” begins
with a vowel, the final “e” of “ene” is dropped. If more than one double or triple bond is present, the
appropriate numerical prefixes are also used (di-, tri-, etc.).
alk-#-en-#-yne
alka-#,#-dien-#,#,#-triyne
All other things being equal, the alkene is higher priority than the alkyne for numbering purposes. The
structures below would all start with the #1 position at the first carbon of the alkene pi bond.

5 4 3
6
9 4 2 7
2 3 4 8 5 3 1 2
1 5 6 7 6 8
11 1
9 10
hexa-1-trans-3-dien-5-yne cycloundec-cis-1-en-4-yne
non-1-en-8-yne
(3E)-hexa-1,3-dien-5-yne (1Z)-cycloundec-1-en-4-yne

hexa-1,3E-dien-5-yne cycloundec-1Z-en-4-yne

However, if a lower initial number can be used by assigning the triple bond a higher priority, then it takes
precedence. Alternatively, if an alkene and an alkyne are equally positioned, a substituent can determine
the direction of the numbering in order to assign it the lowest possible number. The following examples
should clarify this point.
 10
Lecture 9
3 5
4
1 2
1
8 7 6 4 2
9 5 3

pent-3E-en-1-yne
pent-trans-3-en-1-yne
4,4-dimethylnon-8-en-1-yne
The priority changes
because a lower first The priority changes due to
number can be assigned lower numbers for the methyls.
to the triple bond.
1
3' 1' 4 2
4' 2' 5 3 5 1
4 3
2
6 6
7 7
8 8
9

5-(but-2E-enyl)nona-5Z,7E-dien-1-yne
5-ethenylocta-1,3Z-dien-6-yne
The priority changes because a lower first
number can be assigned to the triple bond. The 6,7 triple bond is chosen
The nine carbon chain with two double over the 6,7 double bond
bonds is chosen over the nine carbon chain because it is in a longer chain.
with one double bond.

Examples of " ene " plus " yne " hydrocarbons (You should know all of these.)

a. b. 7 c. 3' d. 4 5
2
7 8 9 2' 3
6 6 1
3 5 3 4
2 4 2 1' 1'
1 5
1 2'
5 4 3 2
4'
1 3'
a. nona-3E,7E-dien-1,5-diyne or (3E,7E)- nona-3,7-dien-1,5-diyne
b. 5,5-dimethylhept-1-en-3-yne
c. 2-(1-methylpropyl)pent-1-en-3-yne or 2-sec-butylpent-1-en-3-yne
d. 3-(4,4-dimethylcyclobut-2-enyl)pent-1-en-4-yne (a tie goes to the alkene)
 11
Lecture 9
Problem 5 - Provide an acceptable name for each of the following structures. (Know how to name a, b,
c, f and g.)

a. b. c. d.

e.
f. g.

V. Functional Group Nomenclature

Many commonly encountered functional groups in organic chemistry are discussed below. An
initial “bare bones” list shows the functional groups in their relative priorities from top to bottom (highest
priority to lowest priority). A very brief overview of their nomenclature is provided showing the prefix
and suffix terms associated with each functional group. The highest priority group in a structure is
indicated by a suffix (and often, but not always, a designating number). In compounds where more than
one functional group is present, lower priority functional groups are indicated with prefixes preceded by a
numbers identifying each substituent’s position on the parent chain. Alkene and alkyne functionality is
always indicated at the end of the name (as a suffix), even if both are present. This means there could be
as many as three suffix components if an alkene, alkyne and a high priority functional group are all
present.
To form the parent name, drop the -e ending if the suffix of the highest priority group begins with
a vowel (most do) from the alkane, alkene, alkyne or alkenyne name. If the suffix begins with a
consonant, retain the final e of the parent name and simply append the suffix. In this book the only two
functional group examples like this are nitrile and thiol.
Try to adopt a systematic (repetitive) strategy to approach each nomenclature problem. If you do
this every time you work on a nomenclature problem, it won’t take many efforts until nomenclature
problems become a routine effort, and devoid of any mystery.
Basic Strategy for Naming Structures – Approach every nomenclature problem the same way.
1. Identify the highest priority group and name the longest continuous chain of carbons containing the
highest priority group so that it is assigned the lowest number possible. Lesser priority groups are still
considered when secondary choices can be made at branches to decide what is the longest chain. Include
these lesser priority groups in the longest chain when possible.
2. Use the numbers in the longest chain to indicate the position of all branches and substituents. Lower
priority groups are indicated with prefixes at the beginning of the name, along with any necessary
numbers to indicate their position(s). The prefixes should be placed in the name in alphabetical order for
referencing purposes. If the prefixes are not in alphabetical order, a correct structure can still be drawn,
however, you might have a problem looking up a structure in alphabetized lists in the literature.
 12
Lecture 9
3. Indicate any double bonds and triple bonds with suffixes, in addition to the high priority group suffix.
Each occurrence of these will get a number preceding it to indicate its position on the parent chain. If
more than one multiple bond or group is present, indicate this with the numerical prefix of the suffix
name (i.e., two double bonds = -#,#-diene, three triple bonds = -#,#,#-triyne, four alcohol groups = -
#,#,#,#-tetraol, etc.). If both a double and triple bond are present, the parent name is alk-#-en-#-yne. If
two doubles, three triples and an alcohol group are present, the parent is alka-#,#-dien-#,#,#-triyn-#-ol).
Stereochemical identifiers (E/Z and R/S) can be grouped together in parentheses in front of the name with
their appropriate numbers.
In addition to several alkane, alkene and alkyne branch names listed earlier there are two
commonly encountered aromatic branch names we here for use in the following examples.
# #
= longest chain

#-phenyl #-benzyl

Functional Groups
Most of the following functional groups have more detailed specific examples provided in the
relevant functional group sections that follow this priority list. More groups are provided in the priority
list below than are emphasized in this book. Also, there are other functional groups not discussed in this
book. Only the more commonly encountered groups are emphasized here. The functional groups you are
responsible for are listed in bold. There are 13 functional groups bolded, plus 5 lower priority
substituents at the end. The first functional group you are responsible for in this list is the carboxylic acid
functional group, number 4.
Order of Priorities of Organic Functional Groups
1. Free Radicals
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

R none alkyl radical

R C given
R 2-methyl-2-butyl radical
2. Cationic Compounds
a. carbon
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

R none alkyl cation

R C given
R 2-methyl-2-butyl cation

b. Nitrogen
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

R R N
ammonio- -ammonium
N
R R ethyltrimethylammonium
 13
Lecture 9
c. Oxygen
Prefix Name Suffix Name Example
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority)
R O
oxonio- -oxonium
R O
R triethyloxonium

3. Anionic Compounds

a. Carbon
Prefix Name Suffix Name Example
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority)
R
none alkyl anion
2-methyl-2-butyl anion
R C given
R -ide
2-methyl-2-butanide

b. Nitrogen
Prefix Name Suffix Name Example
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority)

none N
-amide
R N given
R
diisopropylamide

c. Oxygen
Prefix Name Examples
Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) O

-olate O
none
R O given 2-propanolate 1-propanolate
-oxide
2-propanoxide 1-propanoxide

isopropoxide

4. Carboxylic Acid
Prefix Name Suffix Name Example
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority)
O O
2 1
R C carboxy- -oic acid
3 OH
OH
propanoic acid
Special Examples O O
cyclopentanecarboxylic acid benzoic acid
OH OH
 14
Lecture 9
5. Peroxycarboxylic Acids
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
peroxy-(stem)-oic acid O
O 4 3
R C hydroxyperoxycarbonyl- H
H per-(stem)-oic acid* 2 1
O O
O O
*for selected acids peroxybutanoic acid
Special Examples
Cl
O O
H cyclopentaneperoxycarboxylic acid H meta-chloroperbenzoic acid
O O O O (mCPBA)

6. Sulfonic Acid
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
O
O 3 2
S OH
R S OH sulfo- -sulfonic acid 1
O
O propanesulfonic acid
Special Example O toluenesulfonic acid O
trifluoromethanesulfonic acid
S OH F3C S OH
tosic acid triflic acid (TfOH)
O symbol = TsOH O

7. Anhydride
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example
O O
O O
acyloxyalkanecarbonyl- -oic anhydride
C C 3 1 O 1
R O R 2 2 3
propanoic anhydride
Special Examples O O
benzoic anhydride
O O O
common: acetic anhydride
IUPAC: ethanoic anhydride
O

8. Ester
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

O O
1' 3'
C R' alkoxycarbonyl- alkyl (stem)-oate 2' 4'
R O 1 O
2
butyl propanoate

R'-O O
Special Examples
part
O R Ocyclic esters are called "lactones"
O α
part
O
β 2 pentanolide
O O 3 1
4 pentanecarbolactone
ethyl cyclohexanecarboxylate γ 5
O
ethyl benzoate δ-lactone
δ
 15
Lecture 9
9. Sulfonate Ester
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example
O O
2 1
R S OR' alkyloxysulfonyl- alkyl (stem)-sulfonate S O
3
O O
Special Examples R' R O ethyl propanesulfonate
O
S O
H3C S O ethyl methanesulfonate propyl toluenesulfonate
= Ms O O
ethyl mesylate (MsOEt) propyl tosylate (PrOTs)
O

10. Acid Halide

Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
newer term: O
O halocarbonyl-
C (chlorocarbonyl-) -oyl halide 3 1 Cl
R Cl (-oyl chloride) 2
older term: propanoyl chloride
Special Examples haloformyl-
O (chloroformyl-) O

Cl Cl
benzoyl chloride cyclohexanecarbonyl chloride

11. Sulfonyl Chloride

Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example
O O
none 2 1
R S Cl -sulfonyl chloride S Cl
given 3
O O
Special Examples propanesulfonyl chloride
O O
H3C S Cl methanesulfonyl chloride S Cl = TsCl
= Ms Cl mesyl chloride (MsCl) O toluenesulfonyl chloride
O

12. Amide (1o, 2o, 3o are possible, refers to the number of carbons attached to the nitrogen atom)
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
O
O carbamoyl- (1o amides) (stem)-amide (1o amides)
C R2 3 1 NH2
R1 N N-alkylcarbamoyl- (2o amides) N-alkyl(stem)-amide (2o amides) 2

R3 propanamide
N-alkyl-N-alkylcarbamoyl- (3o amides) N-alkyl-N-alkyl(stem)-amide (3o amides)
O
o
primary (1 ) amides: R2 = R3 = H
3 1 N
secondary (2o) amides: R3 = H 2
tertiary (3o) amide: No H at nitrogen cyclic amides are
called "lactams" N-ethyl-N-methylpropanamide
Special Examples O O α
O
β 2
NH2 NH2 3 1
γ4 5 N pentanecarbolactam
H δ-lactam
benzamide cyclohexanecarboxamide δ
 16
Lecture 9
13. Sulfonamide
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example
O
O
2 1
R1 S NH2 -sulfonamide S NH2
sulfonylamoyl- 3
O
O
Special Examples O O propanesulfonamide

S NH2 S NH2
O cyclopentanesulfonamide O toluenesulfonamide

14. Nitrile
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

-nitrile N
N C
C cyano- 3 1
R (Don't drop the final "e" of the 2
stem name because the suffix
propanenitrile
begins with a consonant.)
Special Examples
N N
C C

benzonitrile cyclohexanecarbonitrile

15. Aldehyde
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure Example
(if lower priority) (if higher priority)
O
O oxo- (if at the end of the longest chain)
C -al 3 1 H
R H formyl- (if a branch off the longest chain) 2
propanal
Special Examples
O O

H H
benzaldehyde cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde

16. Ketone
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
O
O
oxo- -one
C 1 3 5
R1 R2 2 4 6
(keto- is an older term) (sounds like "cone")
heptan-3-one
Special Examples
O
O O

1-cyclohexylethan-1-one common: acetone

acetophenone IUPAC: propanone
1-cyclohexyl-1-oxoethane (no "2" necessary here)
 17
Lecture 9
17. Alcohol (1o, 2o, 3o are possible, refers to the number of carbons attached to the alcohol carbon atom)

Prefix Name Suffix Name

General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

R CH2 OH primary o 1 3 OH
2
alcohol (1 ) propan-1-ol
R CH OH hydroxy- -ol
secondary o 1 3
R 2
alcohol (2 )
R
OH
R C OH tertiary o common: isopropyl alcohol
alcohol (3 ) IUPAC: propan-2-ol
R
Special Examples OH common: methyl alcohol
OH CH3OH IUPAC: methanol
common: ethyl alcohol
benzyl alcohol cis-4-methylcyclohexan-1-ol OH IUPAC: ethanol

18. Thiol (1o, 2o, 3o are possible, refers to the number of carbons attached to the thiol carbon atom)

Prefix Name Suffix Name

General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority) Example

R CH2 SH primary o -thiol 1 3 SH

sulfanyl- 2
thiol (1 ) or propane-1-thiol
R CH SH mercapto- (Don't drop the final "e"
secondary in the stem name.) 1 3
R o 2
thiol (2 )
R
CH3SH SH
R C SH tertiary o
thiol (3 ) common: methyl mercaptan common: isopropyl mercaptan
R IUPAC: methanethiol IUPAC: propane-2-thiol

19. Amine (1o, 2o, 3o are possible, refers to the number of carbons attached to the nitrogen atom)

Prefix Name Suffix Name Example

General Structure (if lower priority) (if higher priority)
1 3 NH2
R1 N H primary o 2
amine (1 ) CA system: propan-1-amine
H IUPAC: 1-propylamine
amino- -amine
1 3
R1 N H secondary 2
o
R amine (2 )
2
NH2
R1 N R3 tertiary CA system: propan-2-amine
o IUPAC: 2-propylamine
R2 amine (3 ) Special Examples
N
NH2
N
CA: ethylmethylpropylamine
IUPAC: N-ethyl-N-methylpropan-1-amine benzyl amine N-ethyl-N-methyl-cis-4-methylcyclohexan-1-amine

20. Ether
 18
Lecture 9
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)

O alkoxy- (if 4 Cs or less) O

R1 R2 none
phenoxy is an exception
1 3 5
alkyloxy- (if 5 Cs or more) 2 4
3-ethoxypentane
Special Examples
O O O
O O
O
4 2 ethoxyether
5 3 1
diethyl ether tetrahydrofuran dihydropyran (DHP) tetrahydropyran (THP)
5-phenoxypent-4E-en-2-one ethyl ether
(THF) 3-oxacyclohex-1-ene oxacyclohexane

21. Sulfide
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)

S none S
R1 R2 alkylthio-
common name: alkyl alkyl sulfide 1 3 5
2 4
Special Examples
S S S 3-ethylthiopentane

ethylthioethane ethyl 3-pentyl sulfide

diethyl sulfide thiophene
phenylthiobenzene ethyl sulfide
diphenyl sulfide 3-thiapentane

22. Sulfone
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
O
O
alkylsulfonyl-
none O S
R1 S R2
common name: alkyl alkyl sulfone 1 3 5
O 2 4
O O
Special Examples S O O 3-ethylsulfonylpentane
S
H3C CH3 ethyl 3-pentyl sulfone
phenylsulfonylbenzene methylsulfonylmethane
diphenyl sulfone dimethyl sulfone
 19
Lecture 9
23. Sulfoxide
Prefix Name Suffix Name
General Structure (if lower priority) Example
(if higher priority)
O
O none S
alkylsulfinyl-
R1 S R2
common name: alkyl alkyl sulfoxide 1 3 5
Don't forget the lone pair O 2 4
on the sulfur of sulfoxides.
S O 3-ethylsulfinylpentane
Special Examples S
H3C CH3 ethyl 3-pentyl sulfoxide
phenylsulfinylbenzene methylsulfinylmethane
diphenyl sulfoxide dimethyl sulfoxide

24. Hydrocarbon branches and miscellaneous low priority substituents are named as prefixes.
Special Substituents (Know these five.)
There are several groups that occupy one bonding position on the carbon skeleton and are named
only with a prefix and a number to indicate their position. Some of the more common ones are listed
below. They should be listed in alphabetical order with their designating number. Priority among these
groups, if no high priority functional group is present, is based on the lowest possible number at the first
point of difference. Some of these groups must be drawn with formal charge and have resonance
structures, if full Lewis structures are drawn.
1. Halogen Compounds

General Structure Prefix Name Examples

R F fluoro- H 3C F fluoromethane
R Cl chloro- Cl chloroethane

R Br Br 1-bromopropane
bromo-
R I I 1-iodobutane
iodo-

2. Azido compounds

General Structure Prefix Name Examples

N3
R R 2
R N3 N N N N N N azido- 1 3 5
4
4-azidopent-1-ene

3. Diazo Compounds

General Structure Prefix Name Examples

N2
R R 2
R2C N2 C N N C N N diazo- 1 3 5
4
R R
4-diazopent-1-ene
 20
Lecture 9

4. Nitro Compounds

General Structure Prefix Name Examples

O O NO2
2
R NO2 R N R N nitro- 1 3 5
O O 4
4-nitropent-1-ene

5. Nitroso Compounds
General Structure Prefix Name Examples
O
1 4 6
R NO
3 5
R N nitroso-
2
NO
4-nitrosohex-2E-ene
Examples (You should be able to name all of these.)
a. b. 2 c. d. e. f.
3 O NO 3
F N3
4 Br N2
2 1 1 2 2 NO2 2
3 4 3 1
3 1 1
5

a. 1-fluorobut-2E-ene
b. cis-1-bromo-3-methylcyclopentane
c. 1-diazopropan-2-one
d. nitrosocyclohexane
e. 2-nitropropane
f. 1-azido-2-methylpropane

Problem 6 – Provide an acceptable name for each of the following structures. (You should be able to
name all of these.)
a. b.
Br Cl c. N3
NO2
H 3C CF3
NO2
d. NO e. f.
N2

ON
The groups you are responsible for are relisted below in order of priority.
 21
Lecture 9
General Strategy For Naming Simple Organic Compounds (Bare bones summary sheets)

1. Find the highest priority group. These are listed in order of priority in the table of functional
groups.

2. Find the longest chain containing the highest priority group. You should know carbon chains of
length C1-C12 (listed in the table).

3. Number the longest chain containing the highest priority group to give the highest priority group
the lowest number possible in numbering the longest chain. For the first seven groups, the
functional group carbon will be number 1 (if it is the highest priority group) and the “1” can be
omitted, since it is understood that it has to be this way.

4. Usually the highest priority group is named as a suffix at the end of alkane, alk-#-ene or alk-#-yne.
The final e is dropped if the suffix begins with a vowel and it is retained if the suffix begins with a
consonant. A number will be present in front of the suffix name unless its position is
unambiguously clear (i.e. carboxyl groups aldehydes, nitriles, etc. always = 1, if highest in
priority). If there is a C/C pi functional group to identify (alkene or alkyne), the number in front
of its part of the name describes its position (see rule 6 below). If both a pi bond and a high
priority substituent are present, then two numbers may be necessary, one for each functionality.

5. Lower priority groups are named with their prefix names and their location numbers based on the
numbering of the parent chain (always true for substituents numbered 12 on the next page). The
lower priority substituents should be listed in alphabetical order. Some parts of prefix names
count in this regard and some don't. We will not emphasize this aspect in this course.

6. Double bonds and triple bonds are named as alk-#-ene or alk-#-yne, respectively. If both are
present, name as alk-#-en-#-yne. Multiple pi bonds (or other substituents) use the prefixes di, tri,
tetra, penta etc. with a number for each occurrence. In such cases, an "a" is added in front of the
numerical prefix for better phonetics. (alka-#,#-diene or alka-#,#,#-triyne, alka-#,#-dien-#,#-
diyne, etc.)

The essential functional groups to know (for our course) and their prefixes and suffixes are given in the
attached table. In this table the term “alkan-#-suffix” is a generic term for any alkane with a functional
group suffix, and it must be replaced with the correct parent stem name based on the number of carbons in
the longest chain (C1-C12 for us). If there is a double bond, the name will change to “alk-#-en-#-suffix
and if there is a triple bond, the name will change to “alk-#-yn-#-suffix.

1
O O 2 4S 1 2Z
C
1
6 4
7 5 3 1 OH 2
H 2 3 4
8
H
2
O
Notice that no "1" is used for the carboxylic acid
(2Z,4S)-3-ethoxy-4-methyl-8-oxooct-2-en-6-ynoic acid group, because it has to be "1" in this structure.
 22
Lecture 9
Functional Group prefix suffix The part of each name
O specific to the functional
1. Carboxylic acid #-carboxy group is in bold and
C alkanoic acid underlined to help you
R OH not considered
see those features.
O O alkanoic anhydride
2. Anhydride #-acyloxyalkanecarbonyl "R" = carbon chains
C C not considered (if symmetrical)
R O R alkane alkyl
O alkyl alkanoate # chain branch
3. Ester #-alkoxycarbonyl
C R' (R') (RCO2) carbons name name
R O
O 1 methane methyl
4. Acid halide #-chlorocarbonyl alkanoyl chloride
C 2 ethane ethyl
R Cl
3 propane propyl
O 4 butane butyl
5. Amide #-carbamoyl alkanamide
C #-amido 5 pentane pentyl
R NH2
6 hexane hexyl
6. Nitrile #-cyano alkanenitrile 7 heptane heptyl
R C N 8 octane octyl
O 9 nonane nonyl
7. Aldehyde #-oxo alkanal 10 decane decyl
C 11 undecane undecyl
R H
12 dodecane dodecyl
O 13 tridecane tridecyl
8. Ketone #-oxo (older = #-keto) #-alkanone
C 14 tetradecane tetradecyl
R R' 15 pentadecane pentadecyl
9. Alcohol #-hydroxy 16 hexadecane hexadecyl
R OH #-alkanol
17 heptadecane heptadecyl
18 octadecane octadecyl
10. Thiol #-mercapto #-alkanethiol 19 nonadecane nonadecyl
R SH 20 icosane icocyl
etc.
11. Amine R NH2 #-amino #-alkylamine / #-alkanamine

12. Ether R O R' #-alkoxy (if more than 5C's, then #-alkoxyl)
(can also use "#-oxa" prefix and
count as carbon in longest chain)
12. Thioether R S R' #-alkylthio

12. Halogen R X #-fluoro, #-chloro, #-bromo, #-iodo

12. Azide* R N3 #-azido

always prefixes
(no suffix names)
12. Diazo* R N2 #-diazo

12. Nitro* R NO2 #-nitro

12. Nitroso R NO #-nitroso

12. Carbon branches R #-alkyl, #-(alk-#-enyl), #-(alk-#-ynyl)

* = formal charge is necessary in these Lewis structures and there are two reasonable resonance structures
stereoisomerism prefixes parent stem C/C pi bonds high priority suffix

R/S and E/Z branches and low see box -ene see list above
priority functional above -yne drop preceeding "e" if
groups with location # with location # suffix starts with a vowel
(drop e if vowel follows)