Naming Organic Compounds (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry): Revision Note
Exam code: 4CH1
Naming organic compounds
Names of compounds
The names of organic compounds have two parts: the prefix or stem and the end part (or suffix)
The prefix tells you how many carbon atoms are present in the longest continuous chain in the compound
The suffix tells you what functional group is on the compound
Examples of naming organic molecules
First part of name | Second part of name | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of carbon atoms | Name | Functional group | Family |
Meth... | 1 | ...ane | None | Alkane |
Eth... | 2 | ...ene | C=C bond | Alkene |
Prop... | 3 | ...anol | R-OH | Alcohol |
But... | 4 | ...anoic acid | R-C=O-OH | Carboxylic acid |
Pent... | 5 | ....amine | R-NH2 | Amine |
Hex... | 6 | ...yl ...anoate | R-C=O-O-R | Ester |
Further rules for naming compounds
When there is more than one carbon atom where a functional group can be located it is important to distinguish exactly which carbon the functional group is on
Each carbon is numbered and these numbers are used to describe where the functional group is
When 2 functional groups are present di- is used as a prefix to the second part of the name
Naming isomers
Isomers can be distinguished by following the naming rules
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For Double Award, you’re mainly expected to name simple (straight-chain) compounds and unbranched isomers.
You might still see branched names in questions, so make sure you understand that the numbers show the positions of side chains, but you usually won’t need to generate branched names from scratch
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