Orgo Nomenclature

Question 1

What are the 5 steps to naming an organic compound?

Answer 1

1. Identify the longest C chain with the highest-order functional group
2. Number the chain
3. Name the substituents with a prefix (the functional groups) (and if there are two of the same type simply add di- or tri-…)
4. Assign a number to each of the substituents
5. Order the substituents by alphabetical order (ignore prefixes that are numbers or hyphenated) + add name of the backbone chain with the suffix of the functional group of highest priority

Question 2

How do you determine which C chain has the highest-order functional group?

Answer 2

The one with the most oxidized C = the one with more bonds to atoms that are not C and H

Question 3

What is the formula for an alkane?

Answer 3

CnH(2n+2)

Question 4

What are the names of the first 4 alkanes?

Answer 4

1. methane
2. ethane
3. propane
4. butane

Question 5

How is the alcohol functional group named if it is not the highest priority group?

Answer 5

Hydroxy- prefix

Question 6

What are alcohols with 2 -OH groups called? How are they indicated in the name of the compound?

Answer 6

Diols or glycols

Suffix -diol

Question 7

What are the two types of diols?

Answer 7

1. Geminal: OH groups on the same C

2. Vicinal: OH groups on adjacent Cs

Question 8

What are the common names of alcohols?

Answer 8

Name of alkyl + “alcohol”

Question 9

What is the IUPAC name of isopropyl alcohol?

Answer 9

2-propanol

Question 10

How are aldehydes named?

Answer 10

Replace -e of alkane with suffix -al

Question 11

What are the 3 aldehydes that are usually referred to by their common names?

Answer 11

1. Formaldehyde (methanal)
2. Acetaldehyde (ethanal)
3. Propionaldehyde (propanal)

Question 12

How are ketones named?

Answer 12

Replace -e of alkane by suffix -one

Question 13

What ketone defies the traditional naming conventions?

Answer 13

Acetone (2-propanone)

Question 14

How do you commonly name ketones?

Answer 14

List alkyl groups in alphabetical order + “ketone”

Question 15

How is the aldehyde functional group named if it is not the highest priority group?

Answer 15

Prefix oxo-

Question 16

How is the ketone functional group named if it is not the highest priority group?

Answer 16

Prefix oxo- or keto-

Question 17

What is the highest functional group tested on the MCAT?

Answer 17

Carboxylic acids

Question 18

How are caboxylic acids named?

Answer 18

Replace -e of alkane with -oic acid

Question 19

What are the 3 carboxylic acids that are usually referred to by their common names?

Answer 19

1. Formic acid
2. Acetic acid
3. Propionic acid

Question 20

How are ester named?

Answer 20

1. Alkyl name of alkoxy group (alkane name: replace -e and add -yl)
2. Name of parent acid: replace -oic acid by suffix -oate

Question 21

How are amides named?

Answer 21

1. N - Alkyl name of alkoxy group (if none skip this part)

2. Name of parent acid: replace -oic acid by suffix -amide

Question 22

How are anhydrides named? (2 ways)

Answer 22

1. If formed by 2 same carboxylic acids: replace acid by anhydride
2. If formed by 2 different carboxylic acids: name both acids + replace anhydride

Question 23

What is the order of priority of functional groups?

Answer 23

1. Carboxylic acids
2. Anhydrides
3. Esters
4. Amides
5. Aldehydes
6. Ketones
7. Alcohols
8. Alkenes/Alkynes
9. Alkanes

Question 24

When do alkenes have priority over alkynes?

Answer 24

In cyclic compounds

Question 25

What is a tert-butyl group?

Answer 25

3 CH3s on a C

Question 26

How is the ester functional group named if it is not the highest priority group?

Answer 26

R group prefix + oxy