Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
What is the IUPAC name of the given compound?
Options
- A(R)-3-hydroxybutanal
- B(R)-3-hydroxybutanol
- C(S)-3-hydroxybutanal
- D(S)-3-hydroxybutanol
Correct answer
C. (S)-3-hydroxybutanal
Step-by-step solution
The principal functional group is the aldehyde ( -CHO ), giving the suffix '-al'. The longest carbon chain has 4 carbon atoms, so the parent name is butanal. Numbering starts from the aldehyde carbon (C1). A hydroxyl group is at C3, giving the prefix '3-hydroxy'. This gives the basic name 3-hydroxybutanal. Determine the stereochemistry at the chiral center C3 using CIP priority rules: Priority 1: -OH (highest atomic number of attached atom) Priority 2: -CH₂CHO Priority 3: -CH₃ Priority 4: -H (lowest atomic number)