The IUPAC Name and Nomenclature Rules of Methanal, also Known as Formaldehyde

Aldehyde Nomenclature: Methanal

In aldehyde nomenclature, methanal is the IUPAC name for the simplest aldehyde, also known as formaldehyde

In aldehyde nomenclature, methanal is the IUPAC name for the simplest aldehyde, also known as formaldehyde. The name “methanal” is derived from the root word “meth-” which indicates one carbon atom, and the suffix “-al” which refers to an aldehyde functional group.

To properly name methanal using the IUPAC system, we need to follow a set of rules:

1. Identify the longest continuous carbon chain: In the case of methanal, there is only one carbon atom, so we do not need to consider a carbon chain.

2. Assign a priority to the functional group: In aldehydes, the aldehyde group (-CHO) takes precedence over other functional groups.

3. Name the substituent attached to the aldehyde carbon: Since there is no substituent in methanal, this step does not apply.

Putting these rules into practice, the IUPAC name for methanal is “methanal.” However, it is more commonly known by its trivial name, “formaldehyde.”

It is worth noting that in some cases, aldehydes can be found as substituents in larger molecules. In that case, the aldehyde group is named as a prefix using the term “oxo-” followed by the number that locates it within the parent molecule. For example, if an aldehyde group is found as a substituent on the second carbon of a longer carbon chain, it would be named “2-oxo-” plus the name for the parent molecule.

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