Naming Organic Compounds (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry)

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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

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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 isomersĀ 

An Introduction to AS Level Organic Chemistry Chain Isomerism, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Isomers can be distinguished by following the naming rules

Examiner Tip

You may not be asked to name branched chain organic compounds but you will come across them. It is useful to know that the numbers in the names of these compounds refer to the position of the side chains with respect to the main chain.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

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Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.