How do you number cycloalkanes?

Cycloalkanes are ring structures with the general formula: CnH (2n). Following are basic rules for naming cycloalkanes.

1. Parent Chain

Use the cycloalkane as the parent chain if it has a greater number of carbons than any alkylsubstituent.

If an alkyl chain off the cycloalkane has a greater number of carbons, then use the alkyl chain as the parent and the cycloalkane as a cycloalkyl-substituent.

2. Numbering the Cycloalkane

When numbering the carbons of a cycloalkane, start with a substituted carbon so that thesubstituted carbons have the lowest numbers (sum).

When two or more different substituents are present, number according to alphabetical order.

3. Halogen Substituents

Halogen substituents are treated exactly like alkyl groups