Step 1 — Identify the principal functional group

The suffix is determined by the highest-priority functional group present. Use the priority order in the table below. If the molecule contains only carbon and hydrogen single bonds, it is an alkane.

Step 2 — Find the parent chain

Identify the longest continuous carbon chain that includes the principal functional group. For aldehydes and carboxylic acids, the carbonyl carbon is always carbon 1 and must be included in the chain.

Step 3 — Number the chain

Number from the end that gives the principal functional group the lowest possible locant. If there is a tie, number from the end that gives substituents the lowest locants.

Step 4 — Name substituents

Identify all groups attached to the parent chain that are not the principal functional group. Name them as prefixes using the substituent table below.

Step 5 — Assemble the name

List substituents alphabetically (ignoring multiplying prefixes such as di-, tri-), include locants for all substituents and the principal functional group, and add the suffix.

Format: locant(s)-substituent(s) + parent chain prefix + locant-suffix

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