I have some questions on the nomenclature-
(1) In $H_2O$ we have $H$ written first and $O$ is second but when it comes to Hydroxyl group $OH$ the $O$ comes first, Why?
(2)Why is Propanal called Propion-aldehyde and not Propane- aldehyde?
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2$\begingroup$ The answer to your first question is given here: chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/974/…. $\endgroup$– Ben NorrisCommented Sep 26, 2013 at 10:51
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1 Answer
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To answer (2) first, propionaldehyde is the common (Trivial) name and hence is derived and held-onto only due to historical reasons and now obsolete nomenclature reasons. The 3-C aliphatic saturated qroup was historically called Propion- and hence propanoic acid corresponds to propionic acid and propanal corresponds to propionaldehyde, and propanoate(ester) corresponds to propionate in trivial nomenclature. It is a consequence of the history of the original naming of the 3-C aliphatic group at the time of its discovery.
As for (1), it is a consequence of pure convention; just as water is not called hydrogen hydroxide!
answered Sep 26, 2013 at 10:24
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$\begingroup$ Note that because "propion-" was first, propanoic acid did not become propionic acid. It was the other way around. The "prop-" in "propion-" is where our IUPAC "prop-" prefix comes from. $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 26, 2013 at 10:48
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$\begingroup$ @BenNorris That is true. I should've written "corresponds to" instead of "became". Corrected in the answer. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 1, 2013 at 7:10