> See also: > - [[Hydrocarbons]] # Naming Hydrocarbons (IUPAC) An **alkyl** substituent is an **alkane** missing one hydrogen atom > [!info] Typical Naming Procedure > 1. Select the *longest continuous chain* (doesn't need to be "linear") of carbon atoms to be the **parent compound** > 2. Number the carbon atoms in the parent carbon chain starting from the end closest to the first carbon that has an **alkyl** or other group > 3. Name the alkyl group and designate the position ![[Parent Names for Alkanes.png|400]] - If both sides have the same first substituent, you can compare the second/third/... substituent and start numbering based on which side encounters **a unique substituent the earliest**. ### Naming Alkenes The first carbon of the parent chain should be the closest to the carbon The carbon position of the vinyllic carbon will be placed between the parent prefix and the `-ene` suffix: - Ex: