Question

What family-name endings are used for alkenes, alkynes, and substituted benzenes?

Short answer

Alkenes use "-ene," alkynes use "-yne," and substituted benzenes use "-benzene."

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Compound Types

First, we need to identify the types of organic compounds under consideration: alkenes, alkynes, and substituted benzenes. Alkenes are hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond; alkynes have at least one carbon-carbon triple bond; substituted benzenes are benzene rings with additional atoms or groups attached.

Recognize Naming Conventions for Alkenes

For alkenes, the family-name ending used is "-ene." This suffix indicates the presence of a double bond between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. For example, "ethene" is an alkene with a two-carbon chain.

Identify Naming Convention for Alkynes

Alkynes have names ending in "-yne." This suffix denotes the presence of a triple bond between carbon atoms. For example, "ethyne" is an alkyne with a two-carbon chain, commonly known as acetylene.

Determine Naming Convention for Substituted Benzenes

Substituted benzenes often use specific terms related to their substituent or structural characteristic, but generally maintain the root "benzene." The attached functional groups modify the base name. For instance, if a methyl group is attached, it might be named "methylbenzene" or more commonly "toluene," depending on the functional group and its position.

Key concepts

Understanding Alkenes

Alkenes form a significant group in organic chemistry. They are characterized by having at least one carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond is what makes alkenes unsaturated hydrocarbons. It allows them to partake in several types of chemical reactions that alkanes cannot. Alkenes are named with the suffix "-ene."
For example:

• "Ethene" - a simple alkene with a two-carbon chain. The presence of one double bond is indicated by the "-ene" suffix.
• The position of the double bond in longer carbon chains is shown by a number, such as "1-butene," which means the double bond starts at the first carbon atom.

Alkenes are versatile in chemical reactions, such as addition reactions, making them important for industrial chemistry applications like the production of plastics.

Exploring Alkynes

Alkynes are another essential class of organic compounds, characterized by having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. This feature makes them even more unsaturated than alkenes and impacts their chemical properties.
Alkynes are named with the suffix "-yne." This indicates a triple bond:

• "Ethyne" is the simplest alkyne, with a two-carbon chain, commonly known as acetylene.
• Similar to alkenes, the position of the triple bond in more complex alkynes is specified by a number, like "1-pentyne."

The triple bond's instability is notable, allowing alkynes to participate in a variety of reactions, making them valuable in organic synthesis and industry. They are also pivotal in the creation of polymers and pharmaceuticals.

An Overview of Substituted Benzenes

Substituted benzenes are benzene rings that have additional atoms or groups attached. Benzene, a six-carbon ring with alternating double bonds, is an aromatic compound known for its stability.
When benzene is modified with other groups, it is called a substituted benzene:

• The name often retains "benzene" at its core, modified by a prefix denoting the substituent, such as "methylbenzene," also known as "toluene," where a methyl group is attached to the benzene ring.
• The position of the substituents on the benzene ring can be indicated by terms like ortho-, meta-, or para-.

Substituted benzenes are critical in various industries, including the pharmaceutical, dye, and plastic industries. Their properties can vastly differ based on the nature and position of the substituents.