Aldehyde Nomenclature: Methanal
Propionaldehyde
The aldehyde with the formula CH2O is called methanal (also known as formaldehyde).
The rules for naming aldehydes are as follows:
1. Identify the parent chain, which should contain the aldehyde group (i.e. the carbonyl group).
2. Number the chain so that the carbonyl carbon (C=O) has the lowest possible number.
3. Replace the -e suffix of the corresponding alkane with -al.
4. Indicate the position of the carbonyl group by using the lower number of the two possible numbers as a prefix to the base name.
Applying these rules to CH2O, we get:
1. The parent chain is a single carbon (the carbonyl group takes precedence over the methyl group).
2. The carbonyl carbon is the only carbon in the chain, so it is numbered 1.
3. The -e suffix of methane is replaced with -al to give the name methanal.
4. The carbonyl group is located on the first carbon, so the name is prefixed with 1-. Thus, the full name is 1-methanal.
Therefore, methanal is the IUPAC name for the aldehyde with the chemical formula CH2O.
More Answers:
Exploring Alkenes: Properties, Reactions, and Industrial ApplicationsExploring the Chemistry and Industrial Applications of Alkanes
Aldehydes: Properties, Synthesis, and Applications in Organic Chemistry