The names of simple organic compounds are composed of two parts –
A prefix which comes from the number of carbon atoms in the longest straight chain in the molecule (See table 1 = PREFIXES)
2) A suffix which shows the functional group that specifies which type of different organic compound it is (See table 2: ORGANIC FUNCTIONAL GROUPS)
Prefixes
Any compound with
1 carbon has the prefix of: Meth
2 carbons: Eth
3 carbons: Prop
4 carbons: But
Remember the first 4 prefixes using MEPB Monkeys Eat Peanut Butter
Suffixes(they depend on the functional group)
The suffix of any compound refers to the functional group
Alkanes –ane (C-C) e.g. ethane
Alkenes –ene (C=C) e.g. ethene
Alcohols –ol (OH) e.g. ethanol
Carboxylic acids –anoic acid (-COOH) e.g. ethanoic acid
Functional Groups Table
Alkanes
Alkenes
Alcohols
Carboxylic Acids
Esters
Esters are compounds formed by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol, the carboxylic acid loses the hydrogen next to the acid group and it is replaced by the alkyl group of the alcohol.
Naming esters:
Alcohol root – acid-ate
Examples below give all the possible combinations in your Cambridge Exam