Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
PARAFFIN NAMES
CH
4
Methane
C
2
H
6
Ethane
C
3
H
8
Propane
C
4
H
10
Butane
C
5
H
12
Pentane
C
6
H
14
Hexane
C
7
H
16
Heptane
C
8
H
18
Octane
C
9
H
20
Nonane
C
10
H
22
Decane
C
11
H
24
Undecane
C
12
H
26
Dodecane
The ending “ane” in the name denotes a paraffinic hydrocarbon. Alkyl groups
are derived from these stand-alone molecules by the removal of one hydro-
gen. For example, a methyl group, , is methane with one hydrogen
removed. The hexyl group, , is hexane with one hydrogen removed.
Organic groups are not stand-alone molecules, but are always part of a
molecule. The general term for a group derived from a paraffin is alkyl group.
A general symbol sometimes used by chemists for an organic group is simply
−
−
CH
3
−
C
6
H
13
R. The alkyl groups are named by replacing the “-ane” of the parent
paraffinic hydrocarbon with the ending “-yl.” Thus, ethyl is the alkyl group
derived from eth
ane
, butyl is from but
ane
, decyl is from dec
ane
, etc.
