What does the suffix "-al" signify in IUPAC naming?

What does the suffix "-al" signify in IUPAC naming?

• A. Presence of an alcohol group
• B. Presence of a ketone group
• C. Presence of an ether group
• D. Presence of an aldehyde functional group

Answer: (D)

The suffix "-al" in IUPAC naming signifies the presence of an aldehyde functional group. Aldehydes are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to the terminal carbon of a carbon chain, which is what distinguishes them from other functional groups like ketones, alcohols, and ethers. In the context of organic nomenclature, the use of the suffix "-al" indicates that the compound being named has an aldehyde, and it also implies that the aldehyde carbon is numbered as the first carbon in the structure. As a result, when naming compounds with the aldehyde functional group, "-al" is used as a terminal suffix to denote this specific functional characteristic. This understanding is essential for accurately identifying and categorizing organic molecules according to their functional groups and for proper IUPAC naming conventions.

The suffix "-al" in IUPAC naming signifies the presence of an aldehyde functional group. Aldehydes are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to the terminal carbon of a carbon chain, which is what distinguishes them from other functional groups like ketones, alcohols, and ethers.

In the context of organic nomenclature, the use of the suffix "-al" indicates that the compound being named has an aldehyde, and it also implies that the aldehyde carbon is numbered as the first carbon in the structure. As a result, when naming compounds with the aldehyde functional group, "-al" is used as a terminal suffix to denote this specific functional characteristic.

This understanding is essential for accurately identifying and categorizing organic molecules according to their functional groups and for proper IUPAC naming conventions.