Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Aldehydes

Nomenclature	Formula	3D structure
Functional class name = ? Substituent suffix = -al  e.g. ethanal Substituent prefix = oxo-

• The root name is based on the longest chain including the carbonyl group.
• Since the aldehyde is at the end of the chain, the when the aldehyde is the principal functional group, the locant is dropped.
  
• The aldehyde suffix is appended after the hydrocarbon suffix minus the "e" : e.g.  -ane + -al = -anal or -ene + al = -enal etc.

Functional group is an aldehyde, therefore suffix = -al Hydrocarbon structure is an alkane therefore -ane The longest continuous chain is C3 therefore root = prop propanal

CH3CH2CHO

©Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry