

Organic Chemistry I & II
Lead Author(s): Steven Forsey
Student Price: Contact us to learn more
Top Hat Intro Course - Organic Chemistry I & II is designed for instructors who want an active, dynamic, and understandable approach to support their own efforts in the classroom. This ever-evolving textbook includes auto-graded questions, videos and approachable language in order to make difficult concepts easier to understand and implement.
What is a Top Hat Textbook?
Top Hat has reimagined the textbook – one that is designed to improve student readership through interactivity, is updated by a community of collaborating professors with the newest information, and accessed online from anywhere, at anytime.
- Top Hat Textbooks are built full of embedded videos, interactive timelines, charts, graphs, and video lessons from the authors themselves
- High-quality and affordable, at a significant fraction in cost vs traditional publisher textbooks
Key features in this textbook



Comparison of Organic Chemistry Textbooks
Consider adding Top Hat’s Organic Chemistry textbook to your upcoming course. We’ve put together a textbook comparison to make it easy for you in your upcoming evaluation.
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
Pricing
Average price of textbook across most common format
Up to 40-60% more affordable
Lifetime access on any device
$219
Hardcover print text only
$301
Hardcover print text only
$301
Hardcover print text only
Always up-to-date content, constantly revised by community of professors
Content meets standard for Introduction to Organic Chemistry course, and is updated with the latest content
In-Book Interactivity
Includes embedded multi-media files and integrated software to enhance visual presentation of concepts directly in textbook
Only available with supplementary resources at additional cost
Only available with supplementary resources at additional cost
Only available with supplementary resources at additional cost
Customizable
Ability to revise, adjust and adapt content to meet needs of course and instructor
All-in-one Platform
Access to additional questions, test banks, and slides available within one platform
Pricing
Average price of textbook across most common format
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
Up to 40-60% more affordable
Lifetime access on any device
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
$219
Hardcover print text only
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
$301
Hardcover print text only
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
$301
Hardcover print text only
Always up-to-date content, constantly revised by community of professors
Constantly revised and updated by a community of professors with the latest content
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
In-book Interactivity
Includes embedded multi-media files and integrated software to enhance visual presentation of concepts directly in textbook
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
Customizable
Ability to revise, adjust and adapt content to meet needs of course and instructor
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
All-in-one Platform
Access to additional questions, test banks, and slides available within one platform
Top Hat
Steven Forsey, “Organic Chemistry”, Only one edition needed
McGraw-Hill
Carey & Giuliano, “Organic Chemistry”, 10th Edition
Wiley
Solomons et al., “Organic Chemistry”, 12th Edition
Wiley
David R. Klein, “Organic Chemistry”, 3rd Edition
About this textbook
Lead Authors
Dr. Steven Forsey, Ph.D.University of Waterloo
Steven Forsey is currently a Professor at University of Waterloo, teaching a variety of organic chemistry courses to Chemistry, Science, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology and distance education students. He received his Ph.D. (2004) for Synthetic Organic Chemistry from University of Waterloo, Ontario. He is a recipient of the Excellence of Science Teaching Award and has acted as the Teaching Fellow for the Department of Chemistry since 2016.
Contributing Authors
Felix NgassaGrand Valley State University
Neil GargUCLA
Jennifer ChaytorSaginaw Valley State University
Greg DomskiAugustana College
Christian E. MaduCollin Community College
Christopher NicholsonUniversity of West Florida
Franklin OwEast Los Angeles College, UCLA
Robert S. PhillipsUniversity of Georgia
Grigoriy SeredaUniversity of South Dakota
Simon E. LopezUniversity of Florida
Brannon McCulloughNorthern Arizona University
Jason JonesKennesaw State University
José BoquinAugustana College
Stephanie BrouetSaginaw Valley State University
Explore this textbook
Read the fully unlocked textbook below, and if you’re interested in learning more, get in touch to see how you can use this textbook in your course today.
Chapter 2: Nomenclature

Contents
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Hydrocarbons
2.2 Alkanes
2.3 Branched Alkanes
2.4 Cyclic Alkanes
2.5 Bicyclic Compounds
2.6 Alkenes
2.6.1 Classification of Alkenes
2.6.2 Stereoisomers of Alkenes
2.7 Alkynes
2.8 Naming Hydrocarbons with Several Double or Triple Bonds
2.9 Functional Groups
2.10 Naming Complex Organic Compounds
2.11 Naming Alkyl Halides, Ethers and Alcohols
2.11.1 Naming Alkyl Halides
2.11.2 Naming Ethers
2.11.3 Naming Alcohols
2.12 Naming Carbonyl Compounds
2.12.1 Naming Aldehydes
2.12.2 Naming Ketones
2.13 Naming Acyl Compounds
2.13.1 Naming Carboxylic Acids
2.13.2 Naming Esters
2.13.3 Naming Amides
2.13.4 Naming Acid Anhydrides
2.13.5 Naming Acyl Halides
2.14 Naming Amines
2.15 Naming Nitriles
2.16 Acetyl Functional Group
2.17 Naming Organic Compounds with Multiple Functional Groups
2.18 Index of Hydrogen Deficiency (Degrees of Unsaturation)
2.18.1 Saturated and Unsaturated organic compounds and the Index of Hydrogen Deficiency (IHD)
2.18.2 Heteroatoms and determining the index of hydrogen deficiency
Learning Objectives
- Understand the structural difference between hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes and alkynes).
- Understand the differences between parent chains and substituents.
- Understand and evaluate which functional group present in a molecule is the principal group.
- Understand the IUPAC rules required to correctly and unambiguously identify each and every molecule with a unique name that describes its structure.
- Understand the rules needed to correctly determine the stereochemistry of alkenes using the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system.
- Apply the IUPAC rules or naming hydrocarbons and other organic structures with more complex functional groups (aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, nitriles, halogens, esters and alcohols).
2.0 Introduction
This chapter will introduce the nomenclature for organic compounds. The primary goal of nomenclature is to identify each and every molecule with a unique name that describes its structure.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has established a detailed set of standard rules that are used to name organic compounds. Names derived from using the IUPAC rules are called systematic names.
2.1 Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. These compounds can be divided into two groups: aliphatic hydrocarbons and the aromatic hydrocarbons.
There are three subgroups of aliphatic hydrocarbons. They differ from each other by the number of bonds between carbon atoms.
- Alkanes contain only single bonds connecting all carbon atoms
- Alkenes contain at least one double bond connecting two adjacent carbon atoms
- Alkynes contain at least one triple bond connecting two adjacent carbon atoms.
Aromatic hydrocarbons have different properties and reactivity when compared to the aliphatic group. These types of compounds will be covered in a later chapter.
2.2 Alkanes
In alkanes, all carbon atoms are connected by σ bonds and therefore lack π bonds. These types of aliphatic hydrocarbons have the general molecular formula CnH2n+2 and the names of these compounds have an ane suffix.

Linear Alkanes (Parent Chain)
Alkanes are named based on the number of carbon atoms present in the parent chain. The parent chain in an alkane is defined as the longest continuous uninterrupted chain of carbon atoms. When naming the parent chain of a compound, the names in Table 2.1 are used.

The first step in naming an alkane is to identify the parent chain. In the example below, the parent chain is made of eight carbon atoms. Based on the longest continuous uninterrupted chain, the parent name for this compound is oct. The ending ane is used because it is an alkane, with all carbon atoms connected by single bonds. Therefore the name of the alkane is octane. The compound below is made of eight carbons and has the general molecular formula C8H18 (CnH2n+2).

3D Molecule*: octane
Choose the correct systematic name and general molecular formula for the following compound.

Pentane (CH)
Hexane (CH)
Propane (CH)
Butane (CH)
Choose the correct systematic name and general molecular formula for the following compound.

Octane (CH)
Heptane (CH)
Hexane (CH)
Ethane (CH)
Sort the alkanes from longest to shortest chain length.
Hexane
Nonane
Butane
Ethane
2.3 Branched Alkanes
Branched alkanes are organic compounds that consist of a parent chain and substituents. These substituents can be thought of as branches connected to the parent chain, as in Figure 2.3.

Alkyl groups
Alkyl groups are substituents that are derived from alkanes but differ from alkanes in the lack of an H atom.
Alkyl groups can be either branched (branched carbon skeleton) or unbranched (linear or straight chain carbon skeleton).

Alkyl substituents are named based on the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain of the substituent.
Unbranched or linear alkyl substituents are named by replacing the suffix ane of the derived hydrocarbon with yl.
An alkyl group with one carbon atom is derived from methane (CH4) and is called a methyl group (-CH3). An alkyl group with two carbon atoms is derived from ethane (CH3CH3) is called an ethyl group (-CH2CH3).

Match the systematic names for the alkyl groups identified below.

A
Butyl
B
Pentyl
Ethyl
Propyl
Naming branched alkyl groups is more complex than naming un-branched alkyl substituents.
When naming branched alkyl groups, each carbon atom in the substituent is numbered sequentially. The carbon directly attached to the parent chain is assigned the number 1 and longest chain of the substituent is numbered sequentially (Figure 2.6).

In the above example, the longest chain of the branched substituent is composed of four carbon atoms and is considered a butyl group. This butyl group also contains a methyl group attached to the second carbon. This branched substituent is called (2- methylbutyl). When naming branched alkyl groups, the name is placed inside parenthesis to avoid confusion with the rest of the compound’s name.
An sp3 hybrid carbon atom in a structure can be classified as primary (1°), secondary (2°), tertiary (3°), or quaternary (4°) depending on the number of carbon atoms directly bonded to it. A primary carbon is attached to one more carbon atom; a secondary carbon is attached to two more carbon atoms; a tertiary carbon will be bonded to three carbon atoms; and a quaternary carbon will be bonded to four carbon atoms (Figure 2.7).

Match the carbons identified below with their correct classification.

A)
2°
B)
3°
C)
4°
D)
1°
Match the carbons identified below with their correct classification.

A)
1°
B)
2°
C)
2°
D)
1°
4°
3°
Which of these compounds has a secondary carbon atom?

1)
2)
3)
4)
How many tertiary carbons does the following molecule have?

Some branched alkyl groups contain common names. It is important to be able to recognize both the systematic and the common names for such substituents (Figure 2.8). To help you learn the common names, look for the similarities between the structures.


Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
1,1-dimethylethyl (-butyl)
1-methylethyl (isopropyl)
3-methylbutyl (isopentyl)
Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

2,2-dimethylpropyl (neopentyl)
1,1-dimethylethyl (-butyl)
2-methylpropyl (isobutyl)
1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
1-methylethyl (isopropyl)
3-methylbutyl (isoamyl)
1,1-dimethylethyl (-butyl)
Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

1,1-dimethylethyl (-butyl)
1-methylethyl (isopropyl)
2-methylpropyl (isobutyl)
1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

3-methylbutyl (isopentyl)
1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
2,2-dimethylpropyl (neopentyl)
1-methylethyl (isopropyl)
Identify the alkyl substituents' systematic name and common name.

1-methylpropyl (-butyl)
2,2-dimethylpropyl (neopentyl)
1-methylethyl (isopropyl)
2-methylpropyl (isobutyl)
To name branched alkanes, these five steps must be followed:
- Identify the parent chain: this is the longest continuous uninterrupted chain of carbons in the molecule. Note that the chain may be bent or not.
- Identify the substituents: these are the groups that are directly connected to the parent chain.
- Assign the location (locant) to each substituent: the parent chain is numbered in the direction that gives the lowest locant to the substituent at the first point of branching.
- Name the compound: the parent chain name is the last part of the name and is preceded by the substituents and their numerical location. Substituents are listed in alphabetical order.
Note that when assembling the name of the compound, a hyphen is always used to separate numbers from letters.
The video below will show you how to name a branched alkane by using the steps outlined above.
As seen in the previous video, when multiple substituents are present in a molecule, the parent chain is numbered in the direction that gives the lowest number to the first substituent encountered.

3D Molecule*: 2,4,4-trimethylhexane
When a substituent appears more than once in a compound, a prefix is used to identify the number of the times the substituent appears in the compound: di is two, tri is three, tetra is four, penta is five, etc. In the example above, there are three methyl groups present in the molecule, so the prefix tri should be used.
Once all substituents are identified and their proper locant established, they are alphabetized. Prefixes di, tri, tetra, penta, and hexa are not included as part of the alphabetized scheme. Prefixes that are hyphenated, such as sec- and tert-, are also ignored in the alphabetization; however, iso and neo are not ignored. A hyphen is used to separate numbers from letters and a comma to separate numbers from numbers.
The branched alkane in Figure 2.10 contains seven carbon atoms in the parent chain. Its parent name is heptane. There are three methyl groups – trimethyl – directly attached to the parent chain. The parent chain is numbered from left to right as this gives the lowest location to the first substituent encountered. The name of this compound is 2,5,5-trimethylheptane.

If when numbering the parent chain, there is a tie in the first locant, then the second locant should be considered. If there is still a tie in the second locant, the third locant is evaluated and so forth (Figure 2.11).

If there is a competition between two parent chains of equal length, choose the one that has the greatest number of substituents. In Figure 2.12, the longest uninterrupted continuous carbon chain is made of nine carbon atoms, but the structure to the right has more alkyl substituents. The systematic name for this compound is 3,6-diethyl-2,7-dimethylnonane.

Which of the following is the appropriate IUPAC name for the compound shown below?

5-isopropyl-2,4-dimethylheptane
3-ethyl-2,4,6-trimethylheptane
2,4-dimethyl-5-isopropylheptane
Which of the following is the appropriate IUPAC name for the compound shown below?

4-isopropyl-2,6-dimethyloctane
3,7-dimethyl-5-isopropyloctane
3-isobutyl-2,5-dimethylheptane
Which of the following is the appropriate IUPAC name for the compound shown below?

5-isobutyl-2-isopropyl-7-methylnonane
5-isobutyl-3,8,9-trimethyldecane
6-isobutyl-2,3,8-trimethyldecane
Match each structure to the correct name.

1)
5-isopropyl-3¸4-dimethyloctane
2)
5-ethyl-3¸4-dimethyloctane
3)
3-ethyl-2¸4¸5-trimethyloctane
Match each structure to the correct name.

1)
4-ethyl-2¸3-dimethylhexane
2)
3-ethyl-2¸5-dimethylhexane
3)
4-(-butyl)-3-methylheptane
2.4 Cyclic alkanes
Cyclic alkanes are hydrocarbons that contain a ring and in which all carbon atoms including those in the ring are connected through a single bond. Cyclic alkanes have a general molecular formula CnH2n, as there are two less hydrogen atoms when going from a linear to a cyclic structure.
Cyclic alkanes are named using the IUPAC rules used for naming alkanes. However, the term cyclo is used when naming cyclic alkanes to indicate the presence of the ring in the structure. The name of the parent chain follows based on the number of carbon atoms in the ring.
When an alkyl group is attached to a ring, the ring is treated as the parent if the ring has more carbons than the alkyl group. If not, the ring is treated as the substituent (Figure 2.13).
Match the name with the cycloalkane.

A)
Cyclopentane
B)
Cyclobutane
C)
Cyclohexane
D)
Cyclopropane

A cyclic alkane must be numbered in the direction that will give the lowest locant to the first substituent encountered. If there is a tie, then the second locant should be as low as possible.

3D Molecule*: 1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane
Which of the following IUPAC names correspond to the compounds shown below?

3-ethyl-1,1-dimethylcyclohexane
1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane
1,1-dimethyl-3-ethylhexane
3-ethyl-1,1-dimethylhexane
Match the compound to its IUPAC name.

A)
1¸1-diethyl-3-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexane