What is the prefix for a 3-carbon alkane?

The prefix for a 3-carbon alkane is "prop." In organic chemistry, the prefixes indicate the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain of an alkane.

For alkanes, the first four prefixes are as follows:

• "Meth" for 1 carbon (methane)
• "Eth" for 2 carbons (ethane)
• "Prop" for 3 carbons (propane)
• "But" for 4 carbons (butane)

Thus, "prop" specifically denotes a molecule with three carbon atoms, which is essential in identifying and naming the structure of alkanes. Understanding these prefixes is fundamental for anyone studying organic chemistry, as they provide the basic framework for naming a variety of hydrocarbons.