State the name of each of the following organic compounds and identify the homologous series each belongs to: a compound with the molecular formula C₄H₁₀; a compound with the molecular formula C₃H₆; a compound with the molecular formula C₂H₅OH; a compound with the molecular formula CH₃COOH.

Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620) — 11.2 Naming organic compounds · State · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

C₄H₁₀ – butane, alkanes
C₃H₆ – propene, alkenes
C₂H₅OH – ethanol, alcohols
CH₃COOH – ethanoic acid, carboxylic acids

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact IGCSE terminology (e.g. ethanoic acid, not acetic acid).
  • Write the compound name first, then the series in parentheses or after a comma.
  • Keep the answer concise – no extra words.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. C₄H₁₀ is butane, belonging to the alkanes
  2. C₃H₆ is propene, belonging to the alkenes
  3. C₂H₅OH is ethanol, belonging to the alcohols
  4. CH₃COOH is ethanoic acid, belonging to the carboxylic acids

Key terms in this question

homologous series

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