Only a small subset of the actual IUPAC Nomenclature can be translated here. The focus here is specifically on substitutive and radicofunctional nomenclatures, since those are what most first-year students are exposed to and are responsible for. I have tried to include as many sorts of names in this program as feasible for a small JavaScript program. Many trivial names are NOT included. Examples of recognized names and limitations are given in the table below.
| type | example | limitations |
|---|---|---|
| acyclic hydrocarbons | 3-methylpentane 2-(4-methylhexyl)undecane 3-methylidene-1-heptyne | maximum chain length is 12 (dodecane) names involving diyl, triyl, -2-yl, etc., are not recognized |
| cyclic hydrocarbons | 1,3-dimethylcyclopentane 3-methyl-2-phenylnaphthylene | only the aromatic systems phenyl, benzyl, and naphthyl are recognized ortho, meta, and para are not recognized |
| halides | 1,2-dibromopentane iodobenzene dichloromethane methyl bromide methylene chloride | F through I are recognized |
| alcohols | 2-pentanol methanol isopropyl alcohol 2-hydroxy-3-pentanone 2,3-pentanediol 3-methylphenol | names such as cresol and xylenol are not recognized |
| ethers | methoxymethanol diethyl ether methyl ether methyl ethyl ether | limited radicofunctional recognition (methyl ethyl ether) |
| amines | triethylamine isopropylamine 2-amino-3-pentanone N,N-diethylmethylamine 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine | very complex amines may not be recognized |
| ketones | 2-pentanone 3-hexen-2-one 2-oxopentanoic acid methyl ethyl ketone | limited radicofunctional recognition (methyl butyl ketone) |
| carboxylic acids and derivatives | benzoic acid 2-methylbutyl benzoate methyl formate isopropyl acetate propanoyl chloride | limited to acids, esters, and acyl halides |
Note that the IUPAC system of nomenclature is really a very complex beast, consisting of several nomenclatures, each with its own distinctive rules. Only the first two are recognized by this program.
| substitutive | (Pronounced, I believe, sub-STI-tu-tiv.) This is the "systematic" nomenclature generally taught to beginning organic chemistry students. Examples include 3-methylheptane and isopropanol. |
| radicofunctional | For certain common chemicals, this IUPAC-approved system involves at least two words (at least in English): The first word is a radical, such as methyl or ethyl, and the last word is a functional group, such as alcohol. Suffixes such as ol are not used in radicofunctional names. Examples include methyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone and dimethyl ether. |
| additive | Additive names such as styrene oxide consist of a word that is a complete chemical name followed by another word that adds functionality. Additive nomenclature is only recommended in specialized cases and is not generally appropriate. |
| subtractive | Certain chemical compounds are named as parent compounds from which has been removed one or more equivalents of H2 (anhydro), H2O (dehydro), O (deoxy), or CH2 (nor). Examples include 7,8-didehydrocholesterol, dehydro-L-ascorbic acid, and 3-deoxy-glucose |
| conjunctive | Conjunctive names are complete names of compounds strung together as one word. For example, cyclohexanemethanol or 2-naphthalenepropanol. Conjunctive nomenclature always involves a ring attached to a chain bearing a functional group. |
| replacement | A rarely used nomenclature that is allowed under the IUPAC system involves treating heteroatoms such as O and N in a chain as oxa or aza derivatives of the parent chain. For example, CH3OCH3 might in principal be called 2-oxapropane. |
| trivial names | Names that are in common usage but don't follow systematic rules. Examples include water and chlorophyl. Many such names are acceptable IUPAC names. They just aren't systematic IUPAC names. |