Summary Rules for Naming Alkanes

Find the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms, and use this chain as the base name. 

Number the longest chain, beginning with the end nearest a branch. 

Name the substituents on the longest chain (as alkyl groups). Give the location of each substituent by the number of the main-chain carbon atom to which it is attached. 

When two or more substituents are present, list them in alphabetical order. When two or more of the same alkyl substituent are present, use the prefixes di-, tri-, tetra-, and so on (ignored in alphabetizing) to avoid having to name the alkyl group twice. 

Always compare the total number of carbon atoms in the name with the number in the structure to make sure they match. For example, an isopropyidimethyloctane should have 3 + 2 + 8 carbon atoms. 

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Summary Rules for Naming Alkanes 94 3-4 Physical Properties of Alkanes 95 3-5 Uses and Sources of Alkanes 97 3-6 Reactions of Alkanes 99 3-7 Structure and Conformations of Alkanes 100 3-8 Conformations of Butane 104 3-9 Conformations of Higher Alkanes 106 3-10 Cycloalkanes 107 3-11 Cis-trans Isomerism in Cycloalkanes 109 3-12 Stabilities of Cycloalkanes Ring Strain 109 3-13 Cyclohexane Conformations 113... 

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