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Concept
Unsaturated hydrocarbon
Summary
Unsaturated hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons that have double or triple covalent bonds between adjacent carbon atoms. The term "unsaturated" means more hydrogen atoms may be added to the hydrocarbon to make it saturated (i.e. consisting all single bonds). The configuration of an unsaturated carbons include straight chain, such as alkenes and alkynes, as well as branched chains and aromatic compounds.
Except for aromatic compounds, unsaturated hydrocarbons are mostly reactive and undergo multiple reactions to their multiple
bonds.
IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry
For the sake of clearer communication and less misunderstanding, a consistent naming system is necessary, which gives rise to the IUPAC nomenclature.
Some standard steps to follow when naming unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules with IUPAC nomenclature are elaborated below.
- Find and count the number of carbon atoms in the longest carbon chain and use the corresponding number prefix. For example, if the longest carbon chain contains three carbon atoms, use prefix “prop-”. The prefix of number of carbons from 1 to 10 is summarized in the table below.
- Determine the suffix based on the type of hydrocarbon. If one or more double bonds are present, use suffix “-ene”. If one or more triple bonds are present, use suffix “-yne”. If both double bonds and triple bonds are present, use both suffixes “-ene” and “-yne”. “-ene” usually goes before “-yne” as “e” is prior to “y” lexicographically.
- Count the number of double bonds or triple bonds and indicate that by a number prefix before “-ene” or “-yne”. For example, a carbon chain with 4 carbon atoms containing 2 double bonds will be named as “butadiene”.
- Add numbers between prefix of number of carbons and “-ene” or “-yne” to indicate the position of starting carbon of double bonds or triple bonds. For example, a carbon chain with 4 carbon atoms containing a double bond between the second carbon and the third carbon will be named as “but-2-ene”.
- Lastly, use prefix before the prefix of number of carbons to indicate any side chains present.
Official source
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