Classification and Naming of Organic Compounds

1. Classification of Organic Compounds:

a) Two main types of organic compounds:

• Hydrocarbons: These are compounds formed from two elements: carbon (C) and hydrogen (H).

• Note: Hydrocarbons are the simplest group of organic compounds, but they are the source for creating more complex organic compounds.

• Derivatives of hydrocarbons: These are organic compounds that, in addition to carbon (C) and hydrogen (H), also contain other elements such as oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), halogens (F, Cl, Br, I)…

• Note: Derivatives of hydrocarbons are often formed by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon molecule with other atoms or groups of atoms.

b) Functional groups:

• Functional group: A group of atoms with a specific structure that determines the characteristic chemical properties of the organic compound.

• Note: Organic compounds with the same functional group usually have similar chemical properties.

2. Naming Organic Compounds:

a) Common names:

• Common names are names given based on the source of their discovery, properties, smell, use…

• Note: Common names often do not fully reflect the structure of the organic compound, so they are less commonly used in modern organic chemistry.

b) Substitutive names (IUPAC names):

• Substitutive names are constructed based on the rules of the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).

• How to name substitutive names:

• Substituent name: Name the group of atoms or functional groups that replace hydrogen atoms in the main carbon chain.

• Main carbon chain name: Name the longest and most branched carbon chain.

• Functional group name: Name the main functional group of the organic compound.

• Note: When naming substitutive names, pay attention to the position of branches and functional groups in the main carbon chain.

c) Radical-functional names:

• Radical-functional names: Names are given according to the radical-functional name of the main functional group, combined with the name of the corresponding hydrocarbon radical.

• Note: Radical-functional names are often used for simple compounds with simple structures.

3. Names of single, double, triple bonds:

• Single bond: an

• Double bond: en

• Triple bond: in

• Note: The names of single, double, and triple bonds are added to the end of the main carbon chain name to indicate the type of bond between carbon atoms.

4. Counting numbers from 1 to 10:

• mono: 1

• di: 2

• tri: 3

• tetra: 4

• penta: 5

• hexa: 6

• hepta: 7

• octa: 8

• nona: 9

• deca: 10

• Note: Counting numbers are used to indicate the number of carbon atoms in the main carbon chain or the number of branches, functional groups in the molecule.

5. Main carbon chain:

• meth: 1C

• eth: 2C

• prop: 3C

• but: 4C

• pent: 5C

• hex: 6C

• hept: 7C

• oct: 8C

• non: 9C

• dec: 10C

• Note: The name of the main carbon chain is used to indicate the number of carbon atoms in the main carbon chain.

General notes:

• When naming organic compounds, follow IUPAC rules to ensure accuracy and consistency.

• Pay attention to the position of branches and functional groups in the main carbon chain to avoid confusion.

• Understanding functional groups, bond types, and how to name main carbon chains will help you easily classify and name organic compounds.