IUPAC Nomenclature

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IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is the systematic method for the nomenclature of organic compounds as per the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC). The reason why this system is created is the huge numbers of organic compounds which made the trivial nomenclature a bit difficult.

Even though the guidelines are rolled out by the IUPAC, all the chemists don’t follow this because the names given to some organic compounds given by the IUPAC are a bit complex. Therefore in this situation, these compounds are given some simple trivial names for easy identification.

The main purpose of the IUPAC name is to provide names for compounds, but sometimes it provides names which are very difficult to pronounce and remember. Therefore the protocol made by IUPAC is sometimes violated unless it is extremely important. The organic compounds are given trivial names because these names are relatively shorter and easier to pronounce as compared to the IUPAC name But most of the IUPAC names are simpler like the IUPAC name of ethanol is ethyl alcohol.

IUPAC Nomenclature History

Since naming is a basic thing everyone does to easily identify their things, previously organic compounds were identified with their source name and the person who discovered it.

This is what we call trivial names. But these names are not authorized or generally accepted names, therefore IUPAC was established. IUPAC rolled out a set of rules containing systematic nomenclature of organic compounds which changes from time to time.

The IUPAC nomenclature involves three components, the stem name, suffix and prefix. In addition to this, for the given IUPAC names, there is no destruction to use other names based on their structural features of compounds. IUPAC names are based on a specific IUPAC nomenclature but any other name or a trivial name which follows the principles and rules set by IUPAC is acceptable in general.

Methods Under IUPAC Nomenclature

There are a total three methods followed under IUPAC nomenclature. They are compositional nomenclature, additive nomenclature, and substitutive nomenclature. Let’s discuss them in brief.

Compositional Nomenclature

This method of IUPAC nomenclature is used to give names to the compounds based on their species composition. It means this method gives names to the compounds based on their structural composition by following the norms issued by IUPAC nomenclature. Under this, the compounds are named using various prefixes which shows the stoichiometric composition of the compounds very clearly with it’s name in case of a single component. But in cases where there are more than one component present in a compound, then they are separated into electropositive and electronegative parts and then named accordingly. Names can be given to the compounds using prefix and suffix but with respect to the rules given by the IUPAC nomenclature.

Additive Nomenclature

This method of IUPAC nomenclature is used in “nomenclature of coordination compounds’ ‘. This method is applied in a wide range such as in the case of tri-chloride-phosphorus which is the IUPAC name of PCI3. It uses the prefix and suffix to name the compounds using IUPAC nomenclature.

Substitutive nomenclature

This method is used when the main hydride is changed with the atoms of hydrogen with a group of substitutes in a IUPAC nomenclature. In this method, the compounds are given names with the help of a functional group with reference to the parent compound. The compounds taken from the hydride in this case can be named too using this method. According to this method, if the hydride belongs to the 17 and 13 group of the periodic table then they are given names as per the suffix “ane”.

Conclusion

Here is the detailed discussion about IUPAC name. The guide involves brief details about IUPAC name, IUPAC nomenclature, and nomenclature of organic compounds.

IUPAC Nomenclature