Class 10 Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds | NCERT - Carbon & It's Compound

Class 10 Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds (NCERT-Based with Plenty of Examples)

Class 10 Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds

Introduction

In Class 10 Science, Chapter 4 Carbon and Its Compounds, the topic Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds forms the backbone of organic chemistry. Many students find organic chemistry difficult not because of reactions, but due to confusion in naming compounds correctly.

Nomenclature means the systematic method of naming carbon compounds so that their structure, functional group, and properties can be understood simply by reading the name. CBSE follows NCERT and IUPAC rules, and questions from nomenclature frequently appear in MCQs, short answers, competency-based questions, and identification-type questions.

This article explains the nomenclature rules step by step with plenty of solved examples, strictly at the Class 10 NCERT level, while also preparing students for higher classes.

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Why Is Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds Important?

Nomenclature is important because:

• Millions of carbon compounds exist; common names are not sufficient
• IUPAC names give clarity and uniformity
• Correct naming helps in writing chemical equations
• Essential for Class 11 and 12 organic chemistry
• Frequently tested in CBSE exams

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Basic Terminology Used in Nomenclature

Before learning the rules, students must clearly understand the following terms.

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1. Parent Carbon Chain

The longest continuous chain of carbon atoms is selected as the parent chain. It decides the base name of the compound.

Number of Carbon Atoms	Prefix
1	Meth
2	Eth
3	Prop
4	But
5	Pent
6	Hex

Examples

• CH₄ → 1 carbon → Meth
• C₂H₆ → 2 carbons → Eth
• CH₃–CH₂–CH₃ → 3 carbons → Prop

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2. Functional Group

A functional group is an atom or group of atoms that gives characteristic chemical properties to a compound.

Functional Group	Formula	Suffix Used
Alcohol	–OH	-ol
Aldehyde	–CHO	-al
Ketone	>C=O	-one
Carboxylic Acid	–COOH	-oic acid
Alkene	C=C	-ene
Alkyne	C≡C	-yne

Examples

• –OH → Alcohol → Ethanol
• –COOH → Acid → Ethanoic acid
• C=C → Alkene → Ethene

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Rules for Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds (NCERT Method)

Step 1: Identify the Longest Carbon Chain

Choose the longest chain of carbon atoms present in the molecule.

Examples

• CH₃–CH₂–CH₃ → 3 carbons → Prop
• CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–CH₃ → 4 carbons → But

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Step 2: Identify the Functional Group

The functional group decides the suffix of the compound.

Examples

• –OH → suffix -ol
• –COOH → suffix -oic acid
• –CHO → suffix -al

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Step 3: Number the Carbon Chain

Number the chain from the end nearest to the functional group so that it gets the lowest possible number.

Example

CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–OH
Numbering starts from OH side
Name: Propan-1-ol

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Step 4: Identify Substituents (Side Chains)

Side groups like –CH₃ (methyl) or –C₂H₅ (ethyl) are written as prefixes with their position number.

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Step 5: Write the Complete IUPAC Name

Prefix + Parent chain + Suffix

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Nomenclature of Hydrocarbons (With Many Examples)

1. Alkanes (Single Bond)

General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
Suffix: -ane

Molecular Formula	Name
CH₄	Methane
C₂H₆	Ethane
C₃H₈	Propane
C₄H₁₀	Butane

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2. Alkenes (Double Bond)

General formula: CₙH₂ₙ
Suffix: -ene

Structure	Name
C₂H₄	Ethene
C₃H₆	Propene
C₄H₈	Butene

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3. Alkynes (Triple Bond)

General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₋₂
Suffix: -yne

Structure	Name
C₂H₂	Ethyne
C₃H₄	Propyne

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Nomenclature of Functional Group Compounds (Detailed Examples)

Alcohols (–OH)

Structural Formula	IUPAC Name
CH₃–OH	Methanol
CH₃–CH₂–OH	Ethanol
CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–OH	Propan-1-ol

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Aldehydes (–CHO)

Structural Formula	IUPAC Name
H–CHO	Methanal
CH₃–CHO	Ethanal
CH₃–CH₂–CHO	Propanal

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Carboxylic Acids (–COOH)

Structural Formula	IUPAC Name
H–COOH	Methanoic acid
CH₃–COOH	Ethanoic acid
CH₃–CH₂–COOH	Propanoic acid

Important Nomenclature Identification Questions (CBSE Pattern)

Very Short Answer Questions

1. Write the IUPAC name of CH₃–CH₃.
   Answer: Ethane
2. Identify the functional group in CH₃–CH₂–OH.
   Answer: Alcohol (–OH)
3. What suffix is used for carboxylic acids?
   Answer: –oic acid

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Short Answer Questions

1. Write the IUPAC name of CH₃–CH₂–COOH.
Answer: The compound has three carbon atoms and a carboxylic acid group. Its IUPAC name is Propanoic acid.

2. Name the compound having molecular formula C₃H₆ and one double bond.
Answer: Propene.

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Long Answer Question

Explain the nomenclature of carbon compounds with suitable examples.
Answer:
Nomenclature of carbon compounds follows a systematic method. First, the longest carbon chain is selected to decide the parent name. Next, the functional group is identified to decide the suffix. The carbon chain is numbered from the end nearest to the functional group. Any substituents are named as prefixes. For example, CH₃–CH₂–OH has two carbons and an –OH group, so it is named Ethanol. Similarly, CH₃–COOH contains a carboxylic acid group and is named Ethanoic acid.

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Common Errors Students Should Avoid

• Choosing the shorter carbon chain
• Incorrect numbering direction
• Forgetting functional group priority
• Using common names instead of IUPAC names

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Printable Worksheet: Carbon and Its Compounds 

Get Worksheet for Carbon and its compound PDF here

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Conclusion

Nomenclature of carbon compounds is a scoring and concept-building topic in Class 10 Science. With clear understanding and regular practice of examples, students can easily master organic chemistry. Learning nomenclature early helps in higher classes and competitive exams, making chemistry logical and enjoyable rather than confusing.

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