Polyenes

is a chemical compound with a carbon chain of four or more atoms and several conjugated double
bonds.

A.

Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Polyenes
The term polyene simply implies the presence of several alkenes. To be more
specific, a diene has two C=C, a triene has 3 C=C etc.
Polyenes are named in a similar manner to alkenes themselves.

 The root name is based on the longest chain containing both ends of all the
alkene units.
 The chain is numbered so as to give the one of the alkene units the lowest
possible number (i.e. first point of difference).
 The locant for the lowest numbered carbon of each alkene is used in the name.
 The appropriate multiplier (i.e. di- for two, tri for three) is inserted before the -ene
suffix.
 In order make the name pronounceable, -a- is inserted after the root.
 If there is more than one C=C that can be E/Z, then the location needs to be
included with the locant, e.g. (2E,4Z)-

 Functional group is an alkene, therefore suffix = -ene

 There are two alkenes, so insert the multiplier di
 The longest continuous chain is C4 therefore root plus "a" = buta
 The C=C units are both at the ends so we can number from either end
 Locants for C=C units are therefore 1- and 3-

buta-1,3-diene CH2=CHCH=CH2
or
1,3-butadiene

 Functional group is an alkene, therefore suffix = -ene

 There are two alkenes, so insert the multiplier di
 The longest continuous chain is C5 therefore root plus "a" = penta
 The first point of difference requires that we number from the right as
drawn CH3CH=CHCH=CH2
 Locants for C=C units are therefore 1- and 3-
 The C3=C4 alkene has E stereochemistry

(E)-penta-1,3-diene
or
(E)-1,3-pentadiene

 Functional group is an alkene, therefore suffix = -ene

 There are two alkenes, so insert the multiplier di
 The longest continuous chain is C5 therefore root plus "a" = penta
 The substituent is a C1 alkyl group i.e. a methyl group
 The first point of difference doesn't distinguish the C=C
 So, need to apply the first point of difference to the alkyl substituent.
 The first point of difference requires that we number from the left as
drawn
 The methyl group locant is 2-
CH3C(CH3)=CHCH=CH2
 Therefore the locants for C=C units are 1- and 4-

2-methylpenta-1,4-diene
or
2-methyl-1,4-pentadiene

B. Physical properties

C. Sources

D. Uses

E. Preparation

F.