Tetradecane

Since the 1913 edition of Webster's dictionary, the nomenclature of hydrocarbons has become more specific in regards to structure. Tetradecane is now specifically a string of fourteen linked carbon atoms, like so:

  H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
H-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-H
  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
  H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Other forms of C14H30 are not considered tetradecane, but are identified by naming the longest string of carbon atoms, then referencing the branches off of them, as in 2-methyl tridecane, below:

  H H H H H H H H H H H H H
  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
H-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-H
  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
  H | H H H H H H H H H H H
  H-C-H
    |
    H

Tet`ra*dec"ane (?), n. [Tetra- + Gr. ten.] Chem.

A light oily hydrocarbon, C14H30, of the marsh-gas series; -- so called from the fourteen carbon atoms in the molecule.

 

© Webster 1913.