IUPAC Naming Calculator - Alkanes, Alcohols & Acids

Build systematic IUPAC names from carbon count, compound type and substituents. Stem table, worked examples with formula and molecular weight.

Quick 1-Click Chemical Presets

Molecular Structure & Chain Architecture

Molecular Mass (M)
58.12g / mol
Formula: C4H10
Carbons (C)
4
Stem: "but-"
Hydrogens (H)
10
Aliphatic saturation balance
Oxygens (O)
0
Heteroatom functional site
Systematic IUPAC Chemical Name
butane

Saturated Aliphatic Alkane · Empirical Formula: C4H10

Carbon Backbone Chain & Locant Map (1 to 4)
C1C2C3C4

IUPAC Stems & Suffixes Reference Matrix (1 - 10 Carbons)

Standard root names and saturation formulas according to the IUPAC 2013 Blue Book recommendations.

CarbonsIUPAC StemAlkane HydrideAlkyl RadicalSelection Status
1meth-CH₄ (methane)Methyl—
2eth-C₂H₆ (ethane)Ethyl—
3prop-C₃H₈ (propane)Propyl—
4but-C₄H₁₀ (butane)ButylActive Parent Chain
5pent-C₅H₁₂ (pentane)Pentyl—
6hex-C₆H₁₄ (hexane)Hexyl—
7hept-C₇H₁₆ (heptane)Heptyl—
8oct-C₈H₁₈ (octane)Octyl—
9non-C₉H₂₀ (nonane)Nonyl—
10dec-C₁₀H₂₂ (decane)Decyl—

Worked Example: Systematic IUPAC Nomenclature for Butan-1-ol (C₄H₁₀O)

Step-by-step breakdown of a 4-carbon saturated primary alcohol:

Principal Functional Group
Alcohol (-OH suffix: '-ol')
Longest Carbon Chain
4 Carbons (Stem: 'butan-')
Hydroxyl Locant Position
Carbon 1 (butan-1-ol)
Empirical Molecular Formula
C₄H₁₀O (or CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH)
Systematic IUPAC Steps:
•1. Identify Principal Functional Group: Hydroxyl (-OH) outranks simple hydrocarbons, requiring suffix '-ol'.
•2. Number the Parent Chain: Number from the end nearest the -OH group to give the lowest possible locant (C1).
•3. Parent Alkane Stem: 4 carbons = 'butane'. Dropping the terminal 'e' before vowel '-ol' yields 'butan-'.
•4. IUPAC Blue Book 2013 Nomenclature: Insert locant immediately before suffix: 'butan-1-ol'.
•5. Molecular Mass: (4 × 12.011) + (10 × 1.008) + (1 × 15.999) = 48.044 + 10.080 + 15.999 = 74.12 g/mol.
•6. Degree of Unsaturation: Formula (2C + 2 - H)/2 = (2(4) + 2 - 10)/2 = 0 (completely saturated aliphatic alcohol).

💡 Chemistry Insight: The systematic IUPAC name is butan-1-ol (molar mass 74.12 g/mol) containing 4 carbons, 10 hydrogens, and 1 oxygen in a completely saturated straight aliphatic chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Authoritative IUPAC & Chemical Nomenclature References

IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (The Gold Book)

Official International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry definitions and nomenclature standards.

IUPAC Blue Book - Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry (2013 Recommendations)

Definitive recommendations for parent hydride stems, locant positioning, and suffix priority hierarchies.

NIST Chemistry WebBook - National Institute of Standards and Technology

Standard thermochemical data, molecular weights, and verified chemical structures for organic compounds.

PubChem - National Library of Medicine (NIH)

Comprehensive open chemistry database of systematic IUPAC names, isomeric SMILES, and 2D/3D molecular geometries.

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