Keep the following points in mind when naming alcohols.

1. Find the longest continuous hydrocarbon chain and number the carbon atoms, starting from the end that will give the hydroxyl group the lowest carbon position number.
   
   
2. Name the parent chain (main chain) as if it were an alkane. Drop the "e" from the parent chain name and add the location of the hydroxyl group. Complete the parent chain name with "ol" to indicate that the compound is an alcohol.
   
   
   
   
   

   Fig. 1  butan-2-ol

   
   

   
   

   Fig. 2  hexan-3-ol

   
   
   
   
   
3. Some alcohols, referred to as polyalcohols, contain more than one hydroxyl group. If more than one hydroxyl functional group occurs, the "e" is not dropped from the parent chain name; rather, add the carbon position numbers following the parent chain name. Finally, add the appropriate suffix (diol, triol, etc.).
   
   
   
   Fig. 3  ethane-1,2-diol
   
   
   
   

Check Your Understanding

Complete Practice Question 5 on page 430.

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