Question

Give common names for the following: (1) \(\mathrm{HCHO}\) (2) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO}\)

Short answer

Answer: The common names for the given compounds are (1) Formaldehyde and (2) Acetaldehyde.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the compound with the formula \(\mathrm{HCHO}\)

The molecular formula \(\mathrm{HCHO}\) represents a compound with one carbon atom, one oxygen atom, and two hydrogen atoms. This compound is an aldehyde, as it consists of a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom, with two hydrogen atoms also bonded to the carbon atom. This specific aldehyde is called formaldehyde.

Identify the compound with the formula \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO}\)

The molecular formula \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO}\) represents a compound with two carbon atoms, one oxygen atom, and four hydrogen atoms. This compound is also an aldehyde because it has a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom, with one hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom. Additionally, it has a methyl group (\(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\)) bonded to the carbonyl carbon atom. The specific aldehyde in this case is called acetaldehyde.

Provide the common names for the given compounds

(1) \(\mathrm{HCHO}\) - Formaldehyde (2) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CHO}\) - Acetaldehyde