Give the IUPAC name for each of the following alkanes and cycloalkanes:
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Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the longest continuous carbon chain in the structure. This will serve as the parent chain and determine the base name of the alkane or cycloalkane (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, etc.). For cycloalkanes, the ring structure is typically the parent chain unless a longer chain exists outside the ring.
2. Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the parent chain. For alkanes, start numbering from the end closest to the first substituent group. For cycloalkanes, numbering begins at a substituent and proceeds in the direction that gives the lowest numbers to the substituents.
3. Step 3: Identify and name all substituent groups attached to the parent chain. Substituents are alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl) or other functional groups. For cycloalkanes, substituents are named similarly, but the prefix 'cyclo-' is added to the parent chain name.
4. Step 4: Assign a number to each substituent based on its position on the parent chain. If there are multiple substituents, list them in alphabetical order in the name, and use prefixes like di-, tri-, or tetra- if the same substituent appears more than once.
5. Step 5: Combine the substituent names and positions with the parent chain name to form the complete IUPAC name. Ensure proper punctuation: use commas to separate numbers and hyphens to separate numbers from words. For example, '2,3-dimethylpentane' or '1-ethyl-2-methylcyclopropane'.

Key Concepts

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method for naming chemical compounds, particularly organic molecules. It provides rules for naming alkanes and cycloalkanes based on their structure, including the longest carbon chain and the presence of branches or rings. Understanding these rules is essential for accurately identifying and communicating the structure of organic compounds.

Alkanes

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms, connected by single bonds. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where 'n' is the number of carbon atoms. Recognizing the structure and properties of alkanes is crucial for determining their IUPAC names, as it involves identifying the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms.

Cycloalkanes

Cycloalkanes are a class of hydrocarbons that contain carbon atoms arranged in a ring structure, with single bonds between them. They follow the general formula CnH2n, which differs from alkanes due to the cyclic nature of their structure. Understanding cycloalkanes is important for naming them correctly, as the presence of a ring alters the naming conventions compared to linear alkanes.