Theory:Nomenclature:Branched Hydrocarbons

Brainchild of Yunzhong Hou

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Branched Alkanes
Rule #1: Modifiers are separated from the main branch using a pipeline character | and follow the same rules as mentioned earlier for methane and ethane.

Rule #2: For modifiers, if the superscript to the right is 1, it is omitted.

Rule #3: As your name adds atoms, tag the atoms (1,2,3,4...) as you go, including not only carbon but all atoms except hydrogen.

Rule #4: For modifiers, a subscript at the left of the C (or other symbol, to be discussed later) represents the atom #.


 * [[Image:2-methylbutane.jpg|thumb|227px|4 for longest chain; the pipeline denotes a modifier, in this case the methyl group on carbon #2.]]
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Similar Branches
Rule #5: Similar branches can be named by listing their positions as subscripts before the center symbol (C), separated by commas (if two such groups come from the same, list them repetitively.)


 * [[Image:2,5-dimethylhexane.jpg|thumb|227px|Similar branches can be listed as one modifier.]]
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Multiple Branches
Rule #6: In deciding which modifier comes first, larger branches and groups have higher priorities.

Rule #7: Treat each modifier the same: precede each modifier with a pipeline and place in order.


 * [[Image:3-ethyl-2-methyl-heptane.jpg|thumb|227px|Separate modifiers for separate branches. Note the superscript of 1 is omitted.]]
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Nested Branches
Rule #8: Nested branches are also modifiers and should be treated as primary branches.


 * [[Image:Tert-butylheptane.jpg|thumb|227px|Twigs are added to branches in the same way that branches are added to the main branch.]]
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