Organic chemistry names are built from letter sequences: a root (chain length), optional prefixes (substituents like methyl-), and a suffix (functional group like -ol, -one).
meth, eth, prop…
➕ Prefix: methyl-, chloro-, di-
🏷️ Suffix: -ane, -ene, -ol, -oic acid
Note: This is an educational overview, not a full IUPAC engine.
Think of naming as choosing a main chain, then describing what’s attached and what functional group dominates.
The root hints carbon count: meth(1), eth(2), prop(3), but(4)…
Suffix tells the key functional group:
-ane alkane,
-ene alkene,
-yne alkyne,
-ol alcohol,
-one ketone,
-al aldehyde,
-oic acid carboxylic acid.
Prefixes describe attachments:
methyl- (-CH₃),
ethyl- (-C₂H₅),
chloro- (-Cl),
plus counts like di-, tri-.
The main functional group usually “wins” the suffix, and substituents become prefixes. Numbers (locants) show positions: 2-methyl… means the methyl group is attached at carbon 2.
Pick a root, suffix, and optional prefixes. We’ll generate a plausible example name.
Not all names need a locant (we’ll use it when it makes sense).
These are the “name blocks” you’ll see constantly.
Multipliers: di- (2), tri- (3), tetra- (4). In full naming, ordering rules apply (alphabetical ignoring di/tri).
A few “read it like LEGO” examples.
Real IUPAC naming includes choosing the longest chain, prioritizing functional groups, using multiple locants, sorting substituents alphabetically, and handling rings (cyclo-), aromatics (benzene), and stereochemistry (E/Z, R/S).