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Basic Organic
Nomenclature
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Root Names
The root name of an organic compound indicates the number of carbon atoms
in the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms containing
the highest priority functional group. The root name
simply tells you the size of the molecule. Unfortunately, you must memorize
the root names.
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IUPAC Root Names
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Number of C atoms
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Root Name
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1
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meth
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2
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eth
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3
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prop
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4
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but
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5
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pent
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6
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hex
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7
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hept
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8
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oct
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9
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non
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10
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dec
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11
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undec
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12
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dodec
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13
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tridec
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14
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tetradec
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15
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pentadec
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16
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hexadec
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17
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heptadec
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18
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octadec
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19
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nonadec
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20
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icos
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The name for the compound will be the root name followed by a suffix,
which indicates the highest priority functional group present.
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