1-octanol is also called n-octanol.What does "n" stand for?
1 Answer
n stands for "normal".
Explanation:
Common names
In the common system, a continuous chain of eight carbon atoms is n-octaneor "normal" octane.
A group formed by removal of an
Thus, the common name is n-octyl alcohol.
IUPAC names
In the IUPAC system, a continuous chain of eight carbon atoms is octane.
A group formed by removal of an
Thus, the IUPAC name comes by substituting the final "e from the name of the alkane with the suffix -ol*.
The number of the locant goes as close as possible before the name of the functional group,
Thus, the preferred IUPAC name of the compound is octan-1-ol.
The "old" IUPAC name of 1-octanol is permitted but not recommended.
The name n-octanol uses a prefix from the common system and a name from the IUPAC system.
Chemists should deplore this mixing of two systems for forming names.