What is the IUPAC name for vanillin?

Question

ScanSolve AI Tutor · Accepted Answer

Here's how to determine the IUPAC name for the given structure (vanillin):

Identify the parent compound.
The molecule contains a benzene ring with an aldehyde group ( $\text{-CHO}$ ) directly attached. This makes the parent compound benzaldehyde. The carbon atom of the benzene ring attached to the aldehyde group is designated as carbon 1.
Identify and number the substituents.
There are two other substituents on the benzene ring:
- A hydroxyl group ( $\text{-OH}$ )
- A methoxy group ( $\text{-OCH}_3$ )
We number the benzene ring to give the lowest possible locants to the substituents, starting from the aldehyde carbon as 1.
- If we number clockwise from C1: C2, C3 (methoxy), C4 (hydroxyl). This gives positions 3 and 4.
- If we number counter-clockwise from C1: C2, C3, C4 (hydroxyl), C5 (methoxy). This gives positions 4 and 5. The lowest set of locants is 3 and 4. So, the hydroxyl group is at position 4, and the methoxy group is at position 3.
Assemble the name in alphabetical order.
The substituents are hydroxy (for $\text{-OH}$ ) and methoxy (for $\text{-OCH}_3$ ). Alphabetically, hydroxy comes before methoxy.

Combining these, the IUPAC name is:
$\text{4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde}$

Answer