Question

How can I name alcohol functional groups.

Answer 1

The suffix used is –ane which has been modified in a systematic manner to indicate the existence or the presence of a functional group. We name the alcohol by identifying the longest straight chain of the carbon which contains the OH or the hydroxyl group. We replace the suffix –ane with the –anol and then design the location of the hydroxyl group with the number on the chain.

Complete answer:
So to name an alcohol we first identify the longest and the continuous chain to which we see that the hydroxyl group is attached. Then, identifying the chain, change the name given to the alkane corresponding to the chain by dropping the final –e and then add the suffix –ol. Then you should number the longest continuous chain of carbon in such a manner that the carbon which contains the hydroxyl group should have the lower number. Indicate the position of the group of hydroxyl by using the number as a locant. Now indicate the position of the other substituent as a prefix by using the number in correspondence to their position along the chain of carbon as locants. For example in the following structure
$OHC{H_2} - OH C{H_2} - C{H_2}OH$
So here there are three carbons in the chain so the parent name of the alkane will be propane. As the compound has three hydroxyl groups the suffix will be used is –triol and all three carbons have hydroxyl groups so the name will be 1,2,3-propanetriol. The common name of this compound is glycerol.

Note: The boiling point of the alcohols is generally higher than hydrocarbon because of the presence of hydrogen bonding. Alcohol is soluble in water because the hydrogen bonding present in alcohol tends to form hydrogen bonds with the water. alcohol has the tendency to react with active metals such as sodium.