Question

The IUPAC name of Glycerin is:
A. Glycerol
B. 1,2-ethanediol
C. Propane-1,2,3-triol
D. 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane

Answer 1

Hint: In IUPAC nomenclature, the base part of the name reflects the number of carbons in what you have assigned to be the parent chain. The suffix of the name reflects the types of the functional groups present on (or within) the parent chain. Other groups which are attached to the parent chain are called substituents.

Complete step by step answer:

Glycerin- Glycerin is also known as Glycerol. Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic.

Structure of Glycerin -

IUPAC Nomenclature of compound -
As we know that the base part of the name reflects the number of carbons in what we have assigned to be the parent chain. There are a total three carbons present in the parent chain, so it is a propane.
All three carbons are attached to the same functional group, that is alcohol. Since it is the only functional group present, it will be used as a prefix in the name.
It is a symmetric compound, so we can name it from either side, left or right. We are naming it from left to right.

For three carbons, we will use propane
For three alcohol group substituents, we will use -triol as a suffix.
For position of alcohol functional group, we will use 1,2,3
Now we are all set to write the IUPAC name of Glycerin, that is Propane-1,2,3-triol

Hence the correct option is C.

Note: In IUPAC nomenclature always separate the number from another number with a comma ( , ) and a number from a word with a dash ( - )
Also not confuse yourself with option D, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane. Here alcohol group is used as a prefix, which is the wrong way to do because IUPAC suggests to use the main functional group as a suffix in the name.