Mastering Alkane Naming for Exams

Naming alkanes is the easiest points you will get on a chemistry exam if you follow this

exact blueprint. First, find the longest carbon chain to get your base name,

like butane or heptane. Second, number that chain so your side groups get the lowest possible

numbers. If you have duplicates, use prefixes like di or tri, but always list

different groups alphabetically. Here is the pro tip that trips everyone up: if you find

two chains of the same length, you must choose the one that creates the most branches.

Master that tie-breaker rule and you will ace the test.