Naming Organic Molecules
Learn the rules for naming carbon structures so you can read and write chemical names with confidence. This course moves from simple chains to complex molecules with multiple functional groups.
About this course
Many students approach organic chemistry as a list of names to memorize. They see a complex molecule and try to recall its name from a textbook. The better way is to see the molecule as a construction project. There is a logic to how these names are built, and once you know the grammar, you can name a molecule you have never seen before. We start with the carbon skeleton. You will learn how to find the longest chain and how to number it so the branches get the lowest possible values. Then we add the parts that give molecules their personality: double bonds, halogens, and functional groups like alcohols or acids. By the end, you will understand the priority system that determines which group wins the name. You are not just learning names. You are learning the language of chemistry.
Details
Skills you'll learn
Identify the parent chain
Locate the longest continuous carbon chain to establish the foundation of any organic name.
Number branched structures
Apply the lowest-locant rule to ensure every attachment is correctly placed on the carbon skeleton.
Prioritize functional groups
Use the chemical hierarchy to decide which group defines the molecule suffix and overall identity.
Handle geometric isomers
Use specific prefixes to describe the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms around double bonds.
Syllabus
3 units • 9 lessons • 1 project • 3 assessments
Learning activities
Every lesson gives you several ways to learn.
Frequently asked questions
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