What are the rules for nomenclature of alkanes? Also give the structural formula of the following compound: 5-(1,2-dimethyl butyl)decane
Asked by Shubhangi Gauraha | 30th Oct, 2013, 03:30: PM
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

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
Answered by Hanisha Vyas | 30th Oct, 2013, 06:25: PM
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