Naming Aldehydes

Introduction to Aldehydes

• Structure: Represented by R-C=O-H
  • R: Rest of the molecule
  • C=O: Carbon double bound to Oxygen
  • H: Single bound to a Hydrogen
• Functional Group: Terminal, highest priority when present
• Comparison:
  • Carboxylic Acid: Has an extra oxygen
  • Ketone: Has another R group instead of H

Naming Rules for Aldehydes

• Suffix: Use "-al"
• Priority: No number needed, as it's always at carbon 1
• Parent Chain Identification: Highlight and number to give aldehyde the priority
• Drawing: Show the carbonyl (C=O)

Examples

Example 1: Simple Aldehyde

• Chain: 2 carbons
• Name: Ethane – becomes ethanol (drop 'e')

Example 2: Substituted Aldehyde

• Example: 4 carbons with a methyl group
• Name: 3-methylbutanal

Example 3: Aldehyde with Double Bond

• Details:
  • 5 carbons, double bond on carbon 4
  • Name: 4-pentenal (double bond prioritized)

Example 4: Cyclic Compound Aldehyde

• Name: cyclohexane carbaldehyde

Example 5: Complex Substituted Aldehyde

• Parent Chain and Substituents:
  • 6 carbons: hexanal
  • Substituents:
    • 3-isopropyl
    • 5,5-dimethyl
    • 6-phenyl
  • Name: 3-isopropyl-5,5-dimethyl-6-phenylhexanal

Example 6: Aldehyde with Hydroxy Group

• Parent Chain:
  • 5 carbons: pentanal
  • Substituents:
    • 2-hydroxy
    • 3-methyl
  • Name: 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanal

Example 7: Single Carbon Aldehyde

• Common Name: Formaldehyde
• Systematic Name: Methanal

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