IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is the study of molecules that contain carbon atoms. Scientists use a set of rules called "IUPAC nomenclature" to name these molecules.
Think of it like naming your toys. Each toy has a name that helps you know what it is. Similarly, each organic molecule has a name that helps scientists know what it is made of and how it behaves.
The IUPAC nomenclature has three basic steps to name organic molecules.
Step 1: Find the longest chain of carbon atoms in the molecule. This chain is called the "parent chain".
Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain in a way that gives the smallest number to the first atom where the molecules branch off.
Step 3: Name the branches and put their names in front of the parent chain name, along with the carbon number they are attached to.
For example, let's name a molecule that has six carbon atoms with one branch on the third carbon and another branch on the fifth carbon.
Step 1: Find the longest chain of carbon atoms in the molecule. In this case, the chain has six carbons.
Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain. We start with the carbon where the branches are attached. In this case, the third carbon gets the number 1 and the fifth carbon gets the number 2.
Step 3: Name the branches and put their names in front of the parent chain name. The branch on the third carbon is a methyl group (CH3) and the branch on the fifth carbon is an ethyl group (C2H5). So, the complete name for this molecule is "3-methyl-5-ethylhexane".
And that's how scientists use IUPAC nomenclature to name organic molecules!
Think of it like naming your toys. Each toy has a name that helps you know what it is. Similarly, each organic molecule has a name that helps scientists know what it is made of and how it behaves.
The IUPAC nomenclature has three basic steps to name organic molecules.
Step 1: Find the longest chain of carbon atoms in the molecule. This chain is called the "parent chain".
Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain in a way that gives the smallest number to the first atom where the molecules branch off.
Step 3: Name the branches and put their names in front of the parent chain name, along with the carbon number they are attached to.
For example, let's name a molecule that has six carbon atoms with one branch on the third carbon and another branch on the fifth carbon.
Step 1: Find the longest chain of carbon atoms in the molecule. In this case, the chain has six carbons.
Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain. We start with the carbon where the branches are attached. In this case, the third carbon gets the number 1 and the fifth carbon gets the number 2.
Step 3: Name the branches and put their names in front of the parent chain name. The branch on the third carbon is a methyl group (CH3) and the branch on the fifth carbon is an ethyl group (C2H5). So, the complete name for this molecule is "3-methyl-5-ethylhexane".
And that's how scientists use IUPAC nomenclature to name organic molecules!