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In the nomenclature of organic compounds, a numeric prefix is used for denoting the number of carbon atoms in the main structure. From "pent" onwards, they seem to follow a pattern of greek numerals, however, at 9 carbons, there is an exception: "non" instead of "ene". Why is that? Is it to avoid confusion with double bond insaturations, like "eneene" would create? Is it just to make it sound better?

PS: Forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, I only recently got an introduction to organic chemistry.

Thank you in advance!

L. von W.
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  • In this answer we find that in fact it is the Latin prefixes which were original. The Greek prefixes are the intruders, except for nine. I still favor "enneagon" for the polygon, though. – Oscar Lanzi Nov 14 '23 at 14:48
  • Yeah, it does, Oscar had sent the same thing earlier. Thanks :D – L. von W. Nov 14 '23 at 15:10
  • Naming conventions are a hodgepodge, e.g., methanol, from Greek "μέθυ + ὕλη", i.e., "wine + wood", ethanol, directly from "μέθυ ", propionic acid, from "πρῶτος + πίων", "first fat". And methanoic acid is known as formic acid, because it made by ants, and ethanoic acid is acetic acid is from vinegar in Latin, acetum. Hope you don't mind taking up your thyme (θυμώνω, which is sour??) with etymology. – DrMoishe Pippik Nov 14 '23 at 16:04

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