Naming Organic Compounds

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