Nomenclature and
Functional Group Classes
of Organic Compounds
1. Introduction to Organic
Compounds
Organic compounds are chemical
compounds primarily made of
carbon and hydrogen, and may also
contain elements like oxygen,
nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.
2. Functional Groups
Functional groups are specific
groups of atoms within molecules
that determine the characteristic
chemical reactions of those
molecules.
Functiona
l Group
Alkane
Alkene
Alkyne
Alcohol
Aldehyde
Ketone
Carboxyli
c acid
-ene
-yne
Hydroxy
Formyl
Oxo
General
Formula
C–C
C=C
C≡C
-OH
-CHO
-CO-
Carboxy
-COOH
Name
Ester
Alkoxycarbo
-COOR
nyl
Amine
Amino
-NH₂
Amide
Carbamoyl
-CONH₂
Halides
Chloro/Brom
Example
Ethane
Ethene
Ethyne
Ethanol
Ethanal
Propanone
Ethanoic
acid
Ethyl
ethanoate
Ethylamin
e
Ethanamid
e
Chloroeth
Suffix/Pr
efix
-ane
-ene
-yne
-ol
-al
-one
-oic acid
-oate
-amine
-amide
Prefix:
3. IUPAC Nomenclature Rules
3.1 Steps for Naming Organic Compounds
1.Identify the Longest Carbon Chain – This
becomes the parent hydrocarbon.
2.Number the Chain – Begin from the end
nearest a substituent or functional group.
3.Identify and Name Substituents – Side
chains or functional groups.
4.Assign Numbers to Substituents – Indicate
position on the chain.
5.Assemble the Name – Alphabetically order
substituents, use hyphens and commas
Summary of Prefixes & Suffixes
Type
Alkyl groups
Halogens
Alcohols
Ketones
Carboxylic
acids
Amines
Prefix
Suffix
methyl-, etc. fluoro-, etc. hydroxy-ol
oxo-one
-
-oic acid
amino-
-amine