The IUPAC name of C2H5CN is Propanenitrile.
Propanenitrile, an important organic compound with the formula C2H5CN, is a simple aliphatic nitrile. Its IUPAC name is systematically derived from the alkane with the same number of carbon atoms, including the carbon atom of the nitrile group.
Understanding the Naming Convention
To determine the IUPAC name of C2H5CN, we follow the established rules for naming nitriles:
- Identify the longest carbon chain: The C2H5 group has two carbons, and the nitrile group (-CN) contributes one carbon atom to the main chain. Therefore, the total number of carbon atoms in the parent chain is three (C-C-C≡N).
- Determine the parent alkane name: A three-carbon alkane is called propane.
- Add the suffix "-nitrile": For compounds containing the -C≡N group as the highest priority functional group, the suffix "-nitrile" is added directly to the name of the corresponding alkane.
Combining these steps, "propane" + "nitrile" yields Propanenitrile.
Common Names and Synonyms
While Propanenitrile is its official IUPAC designation, this compound is also recognized by several common names, reflecting its structure and historical usage. These include:
- Propionitrile: This common name is derived from propionic acid (CH3CH2COOH), as nitriles can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids.
- Ethyl cyanide: This name treats the C2H5 (ethyl) group as a substituent attached to a cyanide (-CN) group.
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Formula | C2H5CN |
| IUPAC Name | Propanenitrile |
| Common Names | Propionitrile, Ethyl Cyanide |
| Class | Aliphatic Nitrile |
| Structure | CH3-CH2-C≡N |
Propanenitrile serves as a versatile building block in organic synthesis and is used in various industrial applications. For more details on nitrile nomenclature, you can refer to resources on IUPAC organic chemistry rules.
