- Identify the longest carbon chain.
- When naming, identify different substituents and functional groups. Keep in mind that at some point, you’ll put these into alpha order unless otherwise noted.
- X, Y, Z-name. Position numbers are separated by commas. The substituent(s) is separated from those position numbers by a dash.
- Ignore di-, tri-, etc. when naming (they don’t “count” when putting substituents/groups into alpha order).
- Double and triple bonds. Find the longest chain that includes as many of these bonds as possible. Give the first carbon of the multiple bond the lower position number. Double bonds “-enes” get priority over triple bonds “-ynes”.
- Alkyl groups have the same level of priority as halogens.
- Double and triple bonds get priority (lower position numbers) over alkyls and halogens.
- Alcohols get priority over: alkenes; alkynes; alkyl; halogens. Prefix “-ol”. If there’s double bonds “-enol”.
- Benzene: ortho (o) is the 1,2 position; meta (m) is the 1,3 position; para (p) is the 1,4 position. Memorize as OMP-benzenes!!
- Ether are R-OR. Alkoxy is the -OR group. Hydroxy is -OH. Methoxy is -OCH3. Ethoxy is -OCH2CH3.
- Thiols are -SH and named like alcohols. Drop the “e” of the parent chain and add -thiol.
- Aldehydes. Change -ane to -anal. They’re at ends of chains so the max you can have on one chain is two. For double bonds use “-enal”.
- Ketones. Change “e” to “one”. The position number of the carbonyl carbon gets to be the lowest number (or highest priority). If an alcohol exists, “hydroxy-“. If NH2 exists, “amine-“.
- Work in progress.
Some helpful resources.
