Question

Write the IUPAC name of $ C{H_3}COC{H_2}COC{H_3} $ .

Answer 1

Hint: In order to give a compound a name, certain rules must be followed. When naming organic compounds, the IUPAC (international union of pure and applied chemistry) nomenclature is used. This is to give consistency to the names.

Complete answer:
A good general rule to follow is to start at the end (suffix) and work backwards (from right to left) in the naming of compounds. First we need to recognize the functional group present in the compound. This will determine the suffix of the name.
The compound $ C{H_3}COC{H_2}COC{H_3} $ contains two ketone groups. Therefore the suffix we will use is –one.
Find the longest continuous carbon chain that contains that functional group and count the number of carbon atoms in this chain. This number will determine the prefix of the compound’s name.
The longest carbon chain is 5. Therefore, the prefix of the compound will be Pent-.
Number the carbons in the longest chain such that the functional group attached on the carbon gets the lowest possible number. The ketone group is present on the carbon atom numbering $ 2 $ and $ 4 $ . There are two ketone groups thus, it will be named as Pentane- $ 2,4 $ -Dione. Another name is Acetylacetone.

Note:
The structure of the organic molecule depends on the branching as well as the main chain form. It is important to know the direction from which the carbon number needs to be counted. Another scenario can be, when there are two different functional groups the numbering of the carbon atom depends on the importance of the functional group.