Rule 1

IUPAC NOMENCLATURE OF ALKANE
RULE 1
First of all, the longest carbon chain in the molecule is identified. In the example (I) given below, the
longest chain has nine carbons and it is considered as the parent or root chain. Selection of parent
chain as shown in (II) is not correct because it has only eight carbons.
RULE 2
The numbering is done in such a way that the branched carbon atoms get the lowest possible numbers.
Example
2-Methylbutane
RULE 3
If more than one substituent is present
LOWEST LOCANT RULE
The lowest set of locants is defined as the set that, when compared term by term with other locant
sets, each cited in order of increasing value, has the lowest term at the first point of difference.
RULE 4
If two or more identical substituent groups are present then the numbers are separated by commas.
The names of identical substituents are not repeated, instead prefixes such as di (for 2), tri (for 3),
tetra (for 4), penta (for 5), hexa (for 6) etc. are used. While writing the name of the substituents in
alphabetical order, these prefixes, however, are not considered. Thus, the following compounds are
named as,
RULE 5
If the two substituents are found in equivalent positions, the lower number is given to the one coming
first in the alphabetical listing.
Example
3-ethyl-6-methyloctane
RULE 6
Nomenclature of complex substituents
6a)
Complex substituent can be named by following the above mentioned procedures. However, the
carbon atom of the branch that attaches to the root alkane is numbered 1.
The name of such branched chain alkyl group is placed in parenthesis while naming the compound.
6b)
If there happens to be two chains of equal size, then that chain is to be selected which contains more
number of side chains.
6c)
While writing the trivial names of substituents’ in alphabetical order, the prefixes iso- and neo- are
considered to be the part of the fundamental name of alkyl group. The prefixes sec- and tert- are not
considered to be the part of the fundamental name.
NOTE
1) During alphabetical listing of substituent di,tri,tetra is ignored.
2) If name of side chain itself contain di,tri,tetra etc then on repetition of such side chain
we cannot chain di,tri,tetra etc.
Use bis for 2 ,tris for 3 ,tetrakis for 4 and pentakis for 5.
3) For complex substituent use its first alphabet for alphabetical listing including
di,tri,tetra etc.
4) A chain could be parent chain if it is longest with highest number of following
5)Number parent chain in such that following get the lowest number
Nomenclature of Organic Compounds having Functional Group(s)
CASE1 IF ONE FUNCTIONAL GROUP IS PRESENT
RULE
The longest chain of carbon atoms containing the functional group is numbered in such a way that the
functional group is attached at the carbon atom possessing lowest possible number in the chain.
CASE2 IF MORE THAN ONE FUNCTIONAL GROUP IS PRESENT
RULE1
In the case of polyfunctional compounds, one of the functional groups is chosen as the principal
functional group and the compound is then named on that basis. The remaining functional groups,
which are subordinate functional groups, are named as substituents using the appropriate prefixes. The
choice of principal functional group is made on the basis of order of preference. The order of
decreasing priority for some functional groups is:
-COOH, –SO3H, -COOR (R=alkyl group), COCl, -CONH2, -CN,-CHO, >C=O, -OH, -NH2, alkene
and alkyne.
The halogen(F,Cl,Br,I) , Nitro(-NO2), alkoxy(-OR) and alkyl group are always prefix substituent
RULE2
If more than one functional group of the same type are present, their number is indicated by adding di,
tri, etc. before the class suffix. In such cases the full name of the parent alkane is written before the
class suffix.
Ethane –1,2–diol
RULE3
For compound having more than one double or triple bond then an extra “a” has to include in the
ROOT NAME.
CH2=CH-CH=CH2 is named as buta–1,3–diene.

Nomenclature of cyclic compound
RULE1
In the naming of such compounds a prefix cyclo is added to the word root.
RULE2
If only one substituent is present on the ring, then it is not required to give its position.
RULE3
If two or more substituents are present on the ring, the numbering of ring is done according to lowest
set of locant rule. Alicyclic compounds also follow the numbering rules of acyclic compounds.
RULE4
If the ring contains lesser number of carbon atoms than that of alkyl group attached to it, the
compound is named as derivative of alkane and the ring is considered as a substituent group to the
alkane, otherwise it is named as derivative of cycloalkane.
RULE5
If the side chain contains a multiple bond or a functional group, then the alicyclic ring is treated as the
substituent irrespective of the size of the ring.
RULE6
If the alicyclic ring contains a multiple bond and the side chain contains a functional group the
compound is named as derivative of the side chain and the ring is treated as substituent.
RULE7
If both ring as well as the side chain contain the functional group, then parent hydrocarbon is decided
on the basis of principal group which is further based on preferential order of functional groups.
RULE8
If both alicyclic ring and the side chain contain same functional group, the parent hydrocarbon is
selected on the basis of number of carbonatoms in the ring and side chain
RULE9
If more than one alicyclic rings are attached to the single chain of carbon atoms, the compound is
named as a derivative of alkane and alicyclic rings are treated as substituent irrespective of the
number of atom in the ring or chain.
RULE10
If the alicyclic ring has a functional group along with some substituent on the ring, then the
appropriate prefixes and suffixes are used to represent such groups, and numbering is done in such a
way that the functional group is not counted for word root rather appropriate suffixes are used to
represent such groups.

Rule 1

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IUPAC NOMENCLATURE OF ALKANE

If more than one substituent is present

LOWEST LOCANT RULE

Nomenclature of complex substituents

CASE1 IF ONE FUNCTIONAL GROUP IS PRESENT

CASE2 IF MORE THAN ONE FUNCTIONAL GROUP IS PRESENT

CH2=CH-CH=CH2 is named as buta–1,3–diene.

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