Nomenclature (Organic Chem Chapter 1)

Question 1

What are the common names for ethanal and methanal?

Answer 1

Ethanal’s common name is acetaldehyde and methanal’s common name is formaldehyde.

Question 2

What are geminal diols?

Answer 2

Geminal diols are two hydroxyl groups on the same carbon.

• Geminal diols, or hydrates, are not commonly seen because they spontaneously dehydrate to produce a more stable carbonyl.

Question 3

What is a vicinal diol?

Answer 3

A vicinal diol is when two hydroxyl groups are on adjacent carbons not attached to the same carbon (geminal).