Nomenclature of Compounds (CIE A Level Chemistry)

• Students are required to use systematic nomenclature of simple aliphatic compounds
• The following method can be applied when naming organic compounds:
  • Identify the longest carbon chain containing the functional group
  • Identify the functional group on the chain to determine the suffix or prefix on the compound
  • Count along the carbon chain such that the functional group has the lowest number
  • Add any side chains or lower priority functional groups as prefixes to the beginning of the name in alphabetic order
  • Use the prefixes di-, tri- and tetra- if there are two or more identical functional groups or side chains

Nomenclature of simple aliphatic organic molecules with functional groups table

Functional group	Example	Name
Acyl chloride		Propanoyl chloride
Amine		Dimethylamine
Amide		Propanamide
Amino acid		2-aminoethanoic acid

• The method used to name aromatic compounds is similar to that of aliphatic compounds
• Students are required to use systematic nomenclature of simple aromatic molecules with one benzene ring and one or more simple substituents

Nomenclature of simple aromatic organic molecules with functional groups table

Functional group	Example	Name
Arene		Propyl benzene
Chlorobenzene		2-methylchlorobenzene
Phenol		2,3-dimethyl phenol