Hydrocarbons, functional groups and isomers

A prefix gives the carbon count, the functional group gives the family, and isomers share a formula but differ in structure.

A worked example

Propan-1-ol is C3H7OH: prop- for three carbons, -ol for the hydroxyl group. Pentane, C5H12, has three structural isomers.

The mistake people actually make

Alkanes are CnH2n+2, alkenes CnH2n and alkynes CnH2n-2. Saturated chains undergo substitution; only double and triple bonds undergo addition.

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