1. Naming Hydrocarbons
The “Easy” Way!

2. Steps for naming when given the structure:
1. Count how many Carbons there are. Use your yellow sheet to find the prefix (p.244)
2. What type of bonds are there? This will be your suffix.
Only Single: -ane
Any Double: -ene
Any Triple: -yne

3. Continued…
3. Are there double or triple bonds? Find out which Carbon they are located at. This number will go in front of the name.
Ex: C-C-C=C-C-C
The double bond is at the third carbon, so 3 would go in front

4. Continued… 4. Is there more than one double or triple bond?
If there are 2, use the prefix “di”
If there are 3, use the prefix “tri”

5. Format _____ _____ ______ ______ Location (di, tri) Prefix Suffix
_____ _____ ______ ______
Location (di, tri) Prefix Suffix
of dbl (How (Type of
or tpl many bonds)
bonds carbons)

6. Example

7. Branched Hydrocarbons
1. Determine the longest straight chain within the hydrocarbon.
2. Follow the same rules for straight chain.

8. Hydrocarbons with Branches
3. If there is a branch coming off of the straight chain, you have to name it AND identify its location.
-methyl is used for one carbon (CH3)
-ethyl is used for two carbons (CH2CH3)

9. ___ __ _____ _____ ______ _____ ___
___ __ _____ _____ ______ _____ ___
Branch # of alkyl Location of prefix for # of C’s bond
location branches type mult. Bonds mult. Bonds prefix type