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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct IUPAC name for the alcohol with the molecular formula C3H8O?
A
Ethanol
B
Isopropanol
C
Propan-1-ol
D
Methanol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the molecular formula C3H8O, which indicates the compound is an alcohol with three carbon atoms.
Recognize that the IUPAC naming system for alcohols involves identifying the longest carbon chain containing the hydroxyl group (-OH) and numbering the chain to give the hydroxyl group the lowest possible number.
For a three-carbon alcohol, the parent alkane is propane. Replace the '-e' ending with '-ol' to indicate the presence of an alcohol group, resulting in 'propanol'.
Determine the position of the hydroxyl group. Since there are three carbon atoms, the hydroxyl group can be on the first or second carbon. Number the chain to give the hydroxyl group the lowest number, which is 1 in this case.
Combine the position number with the name: 'Propan-1-ol' is the correct IUPAC name, indicating the hydroxyl group is on the first carbon of the propane chain.