What is the Iupac Name for CH3CHO?
The IUPAC name for CH3CHO is Ethanal, also known as Acetaldehyde.
It has 2 carbons, so the term “Eth” is used as prefix and it belongs to the aldehyde group, so the term “al” is used as suffix.
Ethanal is a colourless liquid or gas with an Ethereal odour and miscible solubility in water, ethanol, xylene, ether, benzene, acetone, toluene, and turpentine.
Properties of Ethanal:
Molar mass: 44.053 g·mol-1
Boiling point: 20.2 °C
Density: 0.784 g·cm-3
Melting point: −123.37 °C
Vapour pressure: 740 mmHg
Refractive Index: 1.3316
Uses of Ethanal
Used as a fuel, in explosives, in perfumery, and as a precursor to acetic acid.
It is primarily used for the production of dyestuffs and other organic chemicals. Sometimes used as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Its derivative, vinyl acetate is an important monomer in the plastics industry.