The Names of Hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are named
according to the number of
carbon atoms in the molecule.
| Number of Carbon Atoms |
Name Prefix | Alkane | Alkene |
| 1 | meth | methane | - |
| 2 | eth | ethane | ethene |
| 3 | prop | propane | propene |
| 4 | but | butane | butene |
| 5 | pent | pentane | pentene |
| 6 | hex | hexane | hexene |
| 7 | hept | heptane | heptene |
| 8 | oct | octane | octene |
Meth
is pronounced meeth (like teeth),
Eth is pronounced eeth (like teeth),
Prop is pronounced prope (like rope),
But is pronounced bute (like beauty).
Pent is pronounced pent (like pentagon).
Hex is pronounced hex (like hexagon).
Hept is pronounced hept (like heptagon).
Oct is pronounced oct (like octagon).
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Copyright © 2013 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.