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IUPAC Naming Worksheet

Organic chemistryGrades 11–12 · A-level / IB · AP Chemistry · CBSE/JEE · Intro college organic19 items · answer key included

This IUPAC naming worksheet gives students focused organic nomenclature practice in both directions: Part A asks them to name 12 structures (branched alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters and haloalkanes), and Part B asks them to draw the structure from the name. Every answer uses current IUPAC recommendations, such as pentan-2-one and butan-2-ol, with the older names shown in brackets, so the answer key works for any syllabus. Use it as a naming organic compounds worksheet for homework, a starter or revision before a test, and print it as a free PDF with or without answers.

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IUPAC Naming Worksheet

Name Class Date

Part A — Name the structure

Write the IUPAC name under each structure. Remember to choose the longest chain containing the functional group and give it the lowest locant.

1.
Structure to name
2-methylbutane
2.
Structure to name
2,2-dimethylbutane
3.
Structure to name
3,4-dimethylhexane
4.
Structure to name
3-ethylhexane
5.
Structure to name
3-methylbut-1-ene (3-methyl-1-butene)
6.
Structure to name
butan-2-ol (2-butanol)
7.
Structure to name
2-methylpropan-2-ol (tert-butyl alcohol)
8.
Structure to name
pentan-2-one (2-pentanone)
9.
Structure to name
butanal
10.
Structure to name
3-methylbutanoic acid
11.
Structure to name
ethyl ethanoate (ethyl acetate)
12.
Structure to name
2-chlorobutane

Part B — Draw the structure

Draw a skeletal (or displayed) formula for each compound in the box.

13.

2,3-dimethylpentane

Structure of 2,3-dimethylpentane
14.

hex-1-ene

Structure of hex-1-ene
15.

3-methylbutan-2-ol

Structure of 3-methylbutan-2-ol
16.

2-methylpropanal

Structure of 2-methylpropanal
17.

methyl propanoate

Structure of methyl propanoate
18.

2-bromo-2-methylpropane

Structure of 2-bromo-2-methylpropane
19.

2-methylpentan-3-one

Structure of 2-methylpentan-3-one

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Answer key: IUPAC Naming Worksheet

Part A — Name the structure

1.
2-methylbutane
2.
2,2-dimethylbutane
3.
3,4-dimethylhexane
4.
3-ethylhexane
5.
3-methylbut-1-ene (3-methyl-1-butene)
6.
butan-2-ol (2-butanol)
7.
2-methylpropan-2-ol (tert-butyl alcohol)
8.
pentan-2-one (2-pentanone)
9.
butanal
10.
3-methylbutanoic acid
11.
ethyl ethanoate (ethyl acetate)
12.
2-chlorobutane

Part B — Draw the structure

13.
Structure of 2,3-dimethylpentane
14.
Structure of hex-1-ene
15.
Structure of 3-methylbutan-2-ol
16.
Structure of 2-methylpropanal
17.
Structure of methyl propanoate
18.
Structure of 2-bromo-2-methylpropane
19.
Structure of 2-methylpentan-3-one

How to use this worksheet

  1. Teach the steps first: find the longest chain that contains the functional group, number it so the group gets the lowest locant, then list substituents alphabetically.
  2. Accept older names (2-pentanone, 2-butanol) if your syllabus uses them, but point out where the locant goes in the current IUPAC style.
  3. Part B is ideal for peer marking: students swap sheets and check each other's skeletal formulas against the answer key.
  4. Fast finishers can draw each Part A structure in MolDraw and compare the name it gives.
  5. Set the title, student lines and answer option on the left, then press Download PDF and choose “Save as PDF” (or print directly). Your choices are remembered on this device.

Draw and edit structures in MolDraw. Make your own questions: draw any molecule, then export it as PNG or SVG for your worksheets.

Draw and edit structures in MolDraw

Frequently asked questions

What are the basic rules for IUPAC naming of organic compounds?

Find the longest carbon chain that contains the main functional group, number it so the functional group (then double bonds, then substituents) gets the lowest locants, name substituents in alphabetical order with di-/tri- prefixes, and add the suffix for the main group, e.g. -ol, -al, -one or -oic acid.

Is it 2-pentanone or pentan-2-one?

Both describe the same compound. Current IUPAC recommendations put the locant right before the suffix (pentan-2-one); 2-pentanone is the older style that is still widely accepted. The answer key gives the current name with the older one in brackets.

How do you name esters?

Name the alkyl group attached to the single-bonded oxygen first, then the acid part with the ending -oate. CH3COOCH2CH3 is therefore ethyl ethanoate (ethyl acetate).

Which functional group has priority when naming?

The usual order is carboxylic acid > ester > aldehyde > ketone > alcohol > amine. Alkenes, alkyl groups and halogens are never the suffix-defining group; halogens are always prefixes (chloro-, bromo-).

Does this worksheet include an answer key?

Yes. The answer key gives the IUPAC name of every structure in Part A and a drawn structure for every name in Part B. You can download the worksheet as a PDF with or without answers.

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