Introductory Organic Nomenclature

Introductory IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Version 3.0 (Revised 2014)

The materials covered here are intended as a programmed introduction to organic nomenclature and aimed at high school students or first year university general chemistry. A more complete and advanced overview of organic nomenclature is also available suitable for 2nd year students taking a full year of college organic chemistry.

The list of topics shown below will introduce and then step you through an introduction to basic organic nomenclature. It starts off by exploring each of the basic rules that are requried to build up the organic compound names systematically and then works through recognising and naming the functional groups.

At the end of each section there are a few practice questions designed to test and expand your knowledge of the subject through immediate application.

Some pages use interactive 3D JSMOL images that can be used to help visualise important issues.

Please read the information on using the practice drills before using the practice questions for the first time.

In order to get the most from this site to learn organic nomenclature, read the pages AND work the drills !

(Direct link to the practice drills).

Alkenes

Alkynes

Polyynes

©Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry