Classwork 4 Naming Alkanes
Classwork 4 Naming Alkanes
Classwork 4 Naming Alkanes
Step 1. Find the longest continuous chain of carbons (it doesn’t have to be straight). (Draw a line through
these carbons if it’s helpful.) Assign an “alkane” name according to the number of carbons in this
chain (such as “butane,” “pentane”).
Step 2. All carbons not in this main chain are “branches” connected to the main chain. Name each branch
using the corresponding prefix with a “–yl” ending.
1 carbon - “methyl” 2 carbons - “ethyl” 3 carbons - “propyl”
Step 3. Number the carbons in the main chain so that the branch(es) have the lowest possible numbers
assigned to them. Assign each branch a number corresponding to where it attaches to the main chain.
Step 4 If there is more than one of a type of branch, add a prefix:
2 = di 3 = tri 4 = tetra 5 = …don’t worry about five groups.
Drawing Alkanes
Step 1. Draw the main chain (the last word on the right side of the name). This should be the longest
continuous path of counting carbons. You can go in many directions.
Step 2. Number the carbons from left to right or right to left depending on where you will get the lowest
numbers.
Step 3. Attach branches according to the number of carbons in each branch (“___yl” words) and their
position on the main chain.
*** it might be helpful to ignore any “di” or “tri” type prefixes in the branch names. “n-“ means normal and is
representing the straight chain. ***
4-ethyl-octane
2-methyl-nonane
3,3-dimethyl-pentane
3-ethyl-pentane
3-ethyl-2methyl-heptane
2,2,3-trimethyl-butane
3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-hexane