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IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkenes | Organic Chemistry Class 11

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkenes | Organic Chemistry Class 11

IUPAC Nomenclature of Alkenes

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons | Organic Chemistry

1. Basics of Alkenes

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond ($C=C$).

  • General Formula: $C_nH_{2n}$ (for acyclic mono-alkenes).
  • Suffix: -ene (e.g., Ethene, Propene).

2. Rule 1: Longest Chain Rule (Selection)

Critical Rule: Select the longest continuous carbon chain that contains the double bond.

Even if a longer chain exists without the double bond, the chain with the $C=C$ is chosen as the parent chain.

Example: In $\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}(\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_3)-\text{CH}=\text{CH}_2$, the parent chain is 5 carbons long (Pentene) because it must include the double bond, not the 6-carbon chain.

3. Rule 2: Lowest Locant for Double Bond

Number the parent chain from the end that gives the double bond the lowest possible number.

  • Priority: Double Bond > Substituents (Alkyl groups, Halogens).
  • If the double bond gets the same number from both ends, then follow the Lowest Set of Locants rule for substituents.
  • If still tied, use Alphabetical Order for substituents.
Example: $\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}=\text{CH}-\text{CH}_2-\text{CH}_3$ is Pent-2-ene (not Pent-3-ene).

4. Rule 3: Writing the Name

The position of the double bond is indicated before the suffix 'ene'.

$\text{Prefix} + \text{Word Root} + \text{Locant} + \text{ene}$

Example: $\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)-\text{CH}=\text{CH}_2$ is 3-Methylbut-1-ene.

5. Naming Polyenes (Dienes, Trienes)

If a molecule has more than one double bond:

  • Use suffixes -diene, -triene, etc.
  • Important: An 'a' is added to the word root. (e.g., Buta-1,3-diene, not But-1,3-diene).
  • Numbering should give the lowest set of locants for the double bonds.

6. Cycloalkenes

In cyclic alkenes:

  • The double bond carbons are always numbered C1 and C2.
  • Numbering proceeds in the direction that gives the substituent the lowest number.

Example: In 3-Methylcyclohexene, the double bond is at 1-2, and the methyl group gets 3. (Not 1-Methylcyclohex-2-ene).

Practice Quiz

Test your naming skills for Alkenes.

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