Common Names

[Patricia Capiral 3G]

Can someone explain to me when the different prefixes are used when writing the common name? I'm a bit confused on how to determine whether it's iso-, neo-, tert-, and sec-. Thank you!

[ReijianiRelova1G]

Iso groups has a "v" shape to it like a greater than or less than sign. A neo group has a "t" shape, almost like an x. A tert group has a t shape as well, but it the cross bar does not go through the vertical line the whole way. A sec group is a substituent that looks like a regular line structure (zigzags).

[Rachel Russell 4B]

It's all based on the shape of the molecule! This video helps explain:

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/organic-chemistry/bond-line-structures-alkanes-cycloalkanes/naming-alkanes/v/common-and-systematic-naming-iso-sec-and-tert-prefixes

It starts talking about the prefixes at 4:28

[Sophia 3F]

So are common names only used for alkanes? Can they also be used on saturated substituents on alkenes/alkynes?

[Hannah Markovic 3C]

Yes, common names can also be used with unsaturated parent chains.