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Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Root names

Here is a list of the root names for naming the parent hydrocarbon chains of C1 to C12 and a few other biologically important chains.
This list is very important as it provides the foundation for all IUPAC nomenclature : you will have to learn the names.
You can see models of C1-C10 by using the buttons above the box.

  • C1 = meth-
  • C2 = eth-
  • C3 = prop-
  • C4 = but-
  • C5 = pent-
  • C6 = hex-
  • C7 = hept-
  • C8 = oct-
  • C9 = non-
  • C10 = dec-
  • C11 = undec-
  • C12 = dodec-
  • C16 = hexadec-
  • C18 = octadec-
  • C20 = icos-


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