In the IUPAC nomenclature case, the root word is the number of total carbons in the longest chain of that compound. No. of carbons Root word 1 meth 2 Eth 3 prop 4 But 5 pent … and so on. The primary suffix is used to differentiate between the saturated compounds (Alkanes) and unsaturated compounds (Alkene and Alkynes). compound Suffix Alkane Ane Alkene Ene Alkyne Yne If there is more than one suffix. Then one of those suffixes is considered as a secondary suffix. Example: Methanol (Alkanol), here ‘ol’ is a secondary suffix. The primary prefixes are used to differentiate between cyclic compound
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