What are the rules for nomenclature of alkanes? Also give the structural formula of the following compound: 5-(1,2-dimethyl butyl)decane

All organic compounds are considered as derivatives of saturated hydrocarbons and are known as Alkanes.

According to IUPAC, the name of an organic compound consists of three parts:

(i)Root word

(ii) Suffix

(iii) Prefix

(i)Root word:

Depends upon the number of carbon atoms present in the longest carbon chain selected.

Number of carbon atoms	Root Word
One carbon atom           C1	Meth
Two carbon atom           C2	Eth
Three carbon atom        C3	Prop
Four carbon atom          C4	But
Five carbon atom           C5	Pent
Six carbon atom             C6	Hex
Seven carbon atom        C7	Hept
Eight carbon atom          C8	Oct
Nine carbon atom           C9	Non
Ten carbon atom            C10	Dec

  (ii) Suffix:

The root word is followed by an appropriate suffix, which represents the nature of the bond in a carbon-carbon atom.

Nature of bond	Suffix	General name	General formula
Single bond(C-C)	-ane	Alkane	CnH2n+2
Double bond(C=C)	-ene	Alkene	CnH2n
Triple bond()	-yne	Alkyne	CnH2n-2
Group(R-)	-yl	Alkyl	CnH2n+1

 (iii)Prefix:

It denotes the substituent, alkyl or functional group and its position in the carbon chain.

Di-, tri-, tetra-, are used for two, three and four groups of the same type respectively.

 The compound should be 5-(2,2-dimethyl butyl)decane