Table 1.2. Major Functional Groups
* Note: Alkenes and alkynes are considered to be tied for priority except in cyclic compounds, where alkenes have higher priority.
Alkene* alkenyl– –ene
Alkyne* alkynyl– –yne
Alkane alkyl– –ane
KEY CONCEPT
Functional group priority is correlated with oxidation state. Carboxylic acids have the highest
priority while alkanes have the lowest.