What is the IUPAC name for a cyclic alkane with six carbons?

Master chemistry nomenclature with our test! Featuring essential concepts, exercises, and explanations. Dive deep into chemical naming conventions!

The IUPAC name for a cyclic alkane with six carbons is "Cyclohexane." In organic chemistry, cyclic alkanes are named by prefixing the word "cyclo" to the name of the straight-chain alkane that has the same number of carbon atoms.

In this case, a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms is called hexane. When these six carbons are arranged in a ring, the correct nomenclature is to add the "cyclo" prefix, resulting in "Cyclohexane." This indicates not only the presence of a ring structure but also that the compound belongs to the alkane family, which consists of saturated hydrocarbons.

The other names pertain to either straight-chain structures or different carbon counts. Hexane is the straight-chain alkane with six carbons, pentane refers to a straight-chain structure with five carbons, and decane involves a straight-chain with ten carbons. Therefore, they do not apply to the cyclic structure specified in the question.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy