Chemistry topics, A to Z.

School Science Lessons
2024-12-24
(UNChemTable)
Chemistry
Websites, Chemistry
Please send comments to: j.elfick@uq.edu.au
Contents
AaAc. | AdAz | B. | Ca to Ch | Ci to Cy | D | E | F | G | H | IJK | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Prefixes and suffixes, chemistry
Alkane, R-CH3 Prefix: methyl-, Suffix: -ane (paraffins, saturated hydrocarbons)
Alkanes: methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane . . .
Alkene R1R2C=CR3R4 (double CC bond =), Prefix: alkenyl-, Suffix: -ene, (no principal functional group) (olefins),
CnH2n, e.g. ethylene, ethene C2H4
Alkyne R1-C=_CR2 (triple CC bond =_), Prefix: alkynl-, Suffix: -yne (no principal functional group) (acetylenes)
Alkyl, R-, e.g. methyl, ethyl
Amyl group: C5H11, only as suffix
-ate suffix
Azide X-N3, Prefix: azido-
Azo (group) N=N
Azo compounds RN=N-R', where R = alkyl group, e.g. methyl, ethyl, andR'= aryl, e.g. phenyl C6H5-
Azo nitrile RC=N cyano-
Azo pyridyl RC5H4N-
Benzyl group RCH2C6H5-
Bromide, X-Br, Prefix: bromo-
Butane, C4H10, butyl C4H9-, Stem name: but-
-C=O: ketone, organic compound containing the group, only as suffix
Carbonyl group (C=O)
Chloride X-Cl, Prefix: chloro-
cis: on same side
Ethane, C2H6, ethyl C2H5-, Stem name: eth-
"flowers" of a metal: oxide of the metal
Fluoride X-F, Prefix: fluoro-
Glyco-: Sugar attached
Heptane, C7H16, heptyl C7H15, Stem name: hept-
Hexane, C6H14, hexyl C6H13, Stem name: hex-
-ide suffix
imide. amide group: CONH2, only as suffix
imine primary RC(=NH) imino-, -imine
imine secondary RCH=NR imino-, -imine
-ine: 1. organic base, 2. amino acid, 3. halogen element, only as suffix
iodide X-I, Prefix: iodo-
isocyanate RNCS
-ite suffix
-ium: Suffix: metals or groups with metal-like properties, e.g. ammonium, only as suffix
-lysis: Breaking down, decomposition, only as suffix
Methane, CH4, methyl CH3-, Stem name: meth-
muriate of a metal: chloride of the metal
NH: imine, a compound of =NH is an imino, only as suffix
-NH2: amine group, a compound of -NH2 is amino, amide, only as suffix
Nitrile X-CN, Prefix: cyano-, Suffix: -nitrile
Nitroso X-NO, Prefix: nitroso-
Nitro X-NO2, Prefix: nitro-
Octane, C8H18, octyl C8H17, Stem name: oct-
Ortho-: Regular form.
Para-: Alongside, beyond, near, contrary to
Pentane, C5H12, pentyl C5H11-, Stem name: pent-
Phenol: organic compounds with functional group -OH, but attached to aromatic ring
Phenol X-C6H4-OH, Prefix: hydroxy, Suffix: -ol
Phenyl group RC6H5
Primary amine: RNH2 amino-, -amine amines
Propane, C3H8, propyl C3H7-, Stem name: prop-
Secondary amine: RNHR, amino-, -amine amines
Sulfide X-SR, Prefix: R-thio-
Sulfonic acid X-SO2-OH, Prefix: sulfo-, Suffix: -sulfonic acid
Tertiary amine: RNRR, amino-, -amine
Thio-: A prefix used when one atom is replaced by a sulfur atom
Thiol sulfhydryl group RSH, only as prefixes
Thiol X-SH, Prefix: mercapto, Suffix: -thiol
trans: on opposite sides
trans fatty acid: fatty acid formed as a result of hydrogenation

Table 1.0 Abbreviations, chemistry

alc.	alcohol	L	litre
alk.	alkali	M	molar conc. e.g. 2 M (2 molar)
aq.	water	MP	melting point
bp	boiling point	max.	maximum
cryst.	crystals	min.	minimum
decomp.	decomposes	mL	millilitre
del.	deliquescent	mm	millimetre (10 -3 m)
dil.	dilute	non-vol.	non-volatile
F P	freezing point	org.	organic
g / mL	r.d.	ox.	oxidized
g	gram	polyp.	polypropylene
ign.	ignition	ppt.	precipitate
ind.	indicator	PVC	polyvinyl chloride
inorg.	inorganic	soln.	solution
insol.	insoluble	W / V	weight to volume ratio
kg.	kilogram	W / W	weight to weight ratio