- If both directions lead to the same number for the alkene functional group suffix
and the same low number(s) for one or more of the substituents, then those sub-
stituents are ignored and the direction is chosen that gives the lowest number to
one of the remaining substituents.
The carbons of an alkene are called vinylic carbons. An carbon that is ad-
jacent to a vinylic carbon is called an allylic carbon.
Two groups containing a carbon–carbon double bond are used in common names—
the vinyl groupand the allyl group. The vinyl group is the smallest possible group
that contains a vinylic carbon; the allyl group is the smallest possible group that con-
tains an allylic carbon. When “allyl”is used in nomenclature, the substituent must be
attached to the allylic carbon.
PROBLEM 4
Draw the structure for each of the following compounds:
a. 3,3-dimethylcyclopentene c. ethyl vinyl ether
b. 6-bromo-2,3-dimethyl-2-hexene d. allyl alcohol
PROBLEM 5
Give the systematic name for each of the following compounds:
a. d.
b. e.
c. Br f. CH 3 CH CHOCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 3
CH 3 CH 2 C CCHCH 3 CH 3 CH 3
CH 3
CH 3
Cl
BrCH 2 CH 2 CH CCH 3
CH 2 CH 3
CH 3 CHCH CHCH 3
CH 3
H 2 C CH CHCH 2
CHCH 2 Br
the vinyl group
H 2 C CHCl
chloroethene
vinyl chloride
H 2 C
3-bromopropene
allyl bromide
systematic name:
common name:
H 2 C
the allyl group
RCH 2 CH CH CH 2 R
vinylic carbons
allylic carbons
sp^2 sp^3
CH 3 CHCH 2 CH CCH 2 CHCH 3
2-bromo-4-ethyl-7-methyl-4-octene
not
7-bromo-5-ethyl-2-methyl-4-octene
because 4 < 5
CH 3 CH 2 CH 3
Br
6-bromo-3-chloro-4-methylcyclohexene
not
3-bromo-6-chloro-5-methylcyclohexene
because 4 < 5
Br
Cl
CH 3
Section 3.2 Nomenclature of Alkenes 115
Tutorial:
Common names of alkyl
groups
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