Naming Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are named using the IUPAC system, so each name describes exactly one structure.1. Find the longest carbon chain (it must contain the functional group). This gives the stem: meth (1 C), eth (2), prop (3), but (4), pent (5), hex (6), hept (7), oct (8), non (9), dec (10).2. Add the suffix for the main functional group: -ane for alkanes, -ene for alkenes, -ol for alcohols, -al for aldehydes, -one for ketones and -oic acid for carboxylic acids.3. Add prefixes for side chains and halogens: methyl (CH₃), ethyl (C₂H₅), fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.4. Number the chain from the end that gives the functional group, or the substituents, the lowest numbers.5. Write the name: substituents go in alphabetical order; use di-, tri- and tetra- when a group appears more than once; separate numbers from each other with commas and numbers from letters with hyphens.Worked examples:
CH₃CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃: longest chain 4 C (butane), methyl on C2, so 2-methylbutane (not 3-methylbutane).
CH₃CH(OH)CH₃: 3 C chain, OH on C2, so propan-2-ol.
CH₂=CHCH₂CH₃: 4 C chain, C=C starts at C1, so but-1-ene.
CH₂ClCH₂Cl: 2 C chain, Cl on C1 and C2, so 1,2-dichloroethane.
CH₃C(CH₃)₂CH₃: 3 C chain, two methyls on C2, so 2,2-dimethylpropane.