Organic Compounds: Esters, Ethers, Carboxylic Acids, Amines

Organic Compounds: Esters, Ethers, Carboxylic Acids, Amines

An Ester. "R" represents a carbon chain.

Ethyl propanaote.

Esters are organic compounds that have two carbon chains seperated by a oxygen atom and a double bonded oxygen. The carbon chain that doesn't include the double bonded oxygen (R2 in this case) is named first and given an "yl" ending, like methyl. The carbon chain including the double bonded oxygen is then name by replacing the suffix "e" with an "oate". For example in the diagram to the right the chain without the double bonded oxygen is simply named ethyl. The chain with the double bonded oxygen is then named propane for a carbon chain of three and then the suffix "e" is replaced with "oate" giving propanoate. Bringing both together gives the name "Ethyl propanaote".

Methoxyethane

Ethers are when a carbon chain is seperated by an oxygen atom and no double bonds. For naming, the shortest carbon chain seperated by the oxygen is named first and give the suffix "oxy" instead of "ane". Then the longest chain is named normally. In the diagram above the shortest chain is methane so it becomes methoxy. The other carbon chain is ethane and stays the same. Bringing the two components together the name becomes Methoxyethane.





Carboxylic acid. "R" represents a carbon chain.

Carboxylic acids are carbon chains with a double bonded oxygen and OH connected to a carbon atom at the end of a carbon chain. The suffix "e" is changed to "oic acid". For example if there is a carbon chain of four the name would be butanoic acid.

An amine. "R" represents a carbon chain

Amines are when NH2 are connected to a carbon chain. When the NH is at the end of the carbon chain the name is the carbon chain with "yl" suffix and amine after it. Though if the the NH is in the middle of the chain you can name the position with a number and put "amino" as a preffix.