Name Structure
The name of an alkane consists of two parts, a prefix that indicates the number of carbons in the chain followed by the suffix -ane that characterizes this type of compounds (meth-ane, eth-ane, prop-ane, but-ane).
Choosing the Principal Chain
Find and name the longest chain in the molecule. If the molecule has two or more chains of equal length, the principal chain will be the one with the most substituents.
Numbering the Principal Chain
Number the carbons of the longest chain starting from the end closest to a substituent. If two substituents are at equal distances from the ends, alphabetical order is used to decide the numbering.
Forming the Name
The name of the alkane is written starting with the substituents in alphabetical order with their respective locators, followed by the name of the principal chain. If a molecule contains more than one substituent of the same type, its name is preceded by prefixes like di, tri, tetra, etc.