How should you name compounds

These names contain a syllable that tells you the framework size penta- for C5, octa- for Q, nona-fbr C9, undeca- for C, and dodeca- for C12. These names are easily worked out from the structures and, what is more important, you get a clear idea of the structure from the name. One of them might make you stop and think a bit (which one ), but the others are clear even when heard without a diagram to look at. 

To illustrate what we mean, let s talk about this compound. 

This carboxylic acid was made and used as an intermediate when chemists in California made breve-toxin (see p. 33) in 1995. Notice how we can call a complicated molecule this acid —a tag name— because you ve seen the structure. It also has a tag number (19), so we can also call it compound 19 , or acid 19 , or brevetoxin fragment 19 . How much more sensible than trying to work out its systematic name. 

So what should you call a compound It really depends on circumstances, but you won t go far wrong if you follow the example of this book. We shall use the names for compounds that real 

We ve met a great many molecules in this chapter. Most of them were just there to illustrate points so don t learn their structures Instead, learn to recognize the names of the functional groups they contain. However, there were 10 names for simple compounds and three for common solvents that we advised you to learn. Cover up the right hand of each column and draw the structures for these 13 compounds. 

Our advice on chemical names- lx points In order of Importance 

That s all we ll say on the subject of nomenclature— you ll find that as you practise using these names and start hearing other people referring to compounds by name you ll soon pick up the most important ones. But, to reiterate, make sure you never pass a compound name by without being absolutely sure what it refers to—draw a structure to check. 

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In addition to the rnles for naming compounds, there are also some common names for some simple and common organic componnds. You should be aware of these names to the extent that yonr conrse demands this of yon. Each conrse will be different in terms of how many of these common names yon shonld be familiar with. Here are some examples ... 

During your study of chemistry you will have many occasions to refer to compounds by name. In this section, we shall see how a few compounds should be named. More comprehensive rules for naming compounds are presented at the appropriate places later in the text. 

Molecular compounds make up a large group millions of molecular compounds are already known, and scientists are likely to discover or create many others. How can you possibly begin to study so many compounds Before you can study their structures and properties and learn how these properties determine their usefulness, you should be able to name the compounds and write their formulas. Fortrmately, chemists have devised a naming system for molecular compormds that is based on a much smaller number of rules than there are compormds. 

O How can you tell whether a compound should be named an acid ... 

Once you have completed all of the problems in this chapter, you will find that it is much easier to draw a compound when you are given the name than it is to name a compound that is drawn in front of you. It is easier for the following reason when naming a compound, there are a lot of decisions you need to make (which functional group has priority, what is the parent chain, how the chain should be numbered, in... 

Just as the Periodic Table of the elements has families of elements, compounds can also be divided into families. A family of materials has particular hazards associated with it. If you can recognize in which family a material belongs from the name or the formula, you should be able to determine the hazard even if you do not know anything else about the specific chemical. If you know the hazard, you know how to handle the material properly. The first family of materials we will look at is the salts (see Figure 2.52). If a metal reacts with a nonmetal, an ionic bond is formed... 

Petroleum and coal consist mainly of compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen. These materials are called hydrocarbons. While the reason for the name should appear clear, it is hoped you might ask how it is known that only hydrogen and carbon are present. 

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