Question

Write down the common name and IUPAC name of the following:
A.) \[C{H_3}C{H_2}CHO\]
B.) \[C{H_3}COC{H_3}\]
C.) \[C{H_3}CH(OH)C{H_3}\]
D.) \[C{H_3}COOH\]
E.) \[HCHO\]

Answer 1

Hint: IUPAC stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. An IUPAC name is a name given to a compound on the basis of some rules which gives the compound a systematic name. On the other hand, the common name of a compound is a name used in our day to day lives.

Complete step by step answer:
In chemical nomenclature, the IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry is a systematic method of naming organic chemical compounds, as recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The primary function of chemical nomenclature is to ensure that a spoken or written chemical name leaves no ambiguity concerning which chemical compound the name refers to and each chemical name should refer to a single substance.
To avoid long and tedious names in normal communication, the official IUPAC naming recommendations are not always followed in practice, except when it is necessary to give an unambiguous and absolute definition to a compound. The form of nomenclature used depends on the audience to which it is addressed.
In the given question,
\[C{H_3}C{H_2}CHO\]
The common name of this compound is methyl acetaldehyde and its IUPAC name is Propanol.

\[C{H_3}COC{H_3}\]
The common name of this compound is acetone and its IUPAC name is Propanone.

\[C{H_3}CH(OH)C{H_3}\]
The common name of this compound is isopropanol and its IUPAC name is Propane-2-ol.

\[C{H_3}COOH\]
The common name of this compound is acetic acid and its IUPAC name is ethanoic acid.

\[HCHO\]
The common name of this compound is formaldehyde and its IUPAC name is methanal.

Note: Remember that the IUPAC name can sometimes be simpler than the common name of a compound, as with ethanol, instead of ethyl alcohol. Generally, the common name of a compound is simpler than its IUPAC name.