In naming cycloalkanes, the prefix 'cyclo-' is added before the root name to indicate that the structure is a closed ring. When numbering the carbons, it is important to assign the lowest possible numbers to the substituents, and these substituents should be ordered _____ to ensure clarity in the name.

In naming cycloalkanes, the prefix “cyclo‑” shows a closed ring, and numbering is chosen so the lowest possible numbers are given to substituents. After the lowest locants are assigned, the substituents must be ordered alphabetically to keep the name systematic and readable. This alphabetical rule prevents ambiguity when several different groups are present. For example, a cyclohexane ring with a methyl group at carbon 1 and a chlorine at carbon 3 would be named 1‑chloromethyl‑cyclohexane, not the reverse. By following the alphabetical order, chemists can quickly identify which substituent is listed first.