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Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Acyl Halides or Acid Halides

Nomenclature
Formula
3D structure
Functional class name = acyl or acid halide

Substituent suffix = -oyl halide


  • Functional group is an acyl halide therefore suffix = -oyl chloride
  • Hydrocarbon structure is an alkane therefore -an-
  • The longest continuous chain is C2 therefore root = eth
ethanoyl chloride
acyl chloride

CH3C(=O)Cl

  • Functional group is an acyl halide therefore suffix = -oyl chloride
  • Hydrocarbon structure is an alkane therefore -an-
  • The longest continuous chain is C4 therefore root = but
butanoyl chloride
acyl halide
CH3CH2CH2C(=O)Cl

  • Functional group is an acyl halide therefore suffix = -oyl chloride
  • Hydrocarbon structure is an alkane therefore -an-
  • The longest continuous chain is C3 therefore root = prop
  • The branch is a C1 alkyl group i.e. a methyl group
  • The functional groups requires numbering from the right as drawn, the substituent locant is 2-

2-methylpropanoyl chloride
acyl halide
(CH3)2CHC(=O)Cl




organic chemistry ©Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry University of Calgary