IUPAC Name of C₂H₆O | ethanol
What is the IUPAC name of C₂H₆O?
The IUPAC name of C₂H₆O is ethanol. It is a alcohol with a 2-carbon parent chain (ethanol).
| Formula | C₂H₆O |
| IUPAC Name | ethanol |
| Compound Class | Alcohol |
| Parent Chain | ethanol (2 carbons) |
| Substituents | None |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
Step 1: Identify the Parent Chain
The longest continuous carbon chain in C₂H₆O contains 2 carbon atoms, giving the parent name ethanol. The parent chain must include the carbon bearing the hydroxyl (-OH) group.
Step 2: Number and Name Substituents
ethanol has no substituents. The molecule consists solely of the 2-carbon parent chain with hydrogen atoms filling all remaining bonding positions.
Step 3: Assemble the IUPAC Name
With no substituents to add, the IUPAC name is simply the parent chain name: ethanol.
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