Organic Chemistry: IUPAC and Common Nomenclature

Flashcards covering the distinction between IUPAC systematic names and common names for various organic compounds including alkanes, alkenes, and benzene derivatives.

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)

The organization responsible for creating systematic rules for naming chemical compounds.

Common names

Names of compounds devised before systematic rules existed that are still widely used, some of which are approved by the IUPAC.

Ethylene

The common name for the compound Ethene, represented by the formula $H_2C=CH_2$.

Acetylene

The common name for the compound Ethyne, represented by the structure $HCECH$.

Toluene

The common name for Methylbenzene, which features a $CH_3$ group attached to a benzene ring.

Phenol

The common name for Hydroxybenzene, which features an $OH$ group attached to a benzene ring.

Aniline

The common name for Benzenamine, which features an $NH_2$ group attached to a benzene ring.