What is the process for naming aldehydes?

Aldehydes are named by replacing the 'e' in the corresponding alkane with 'al'.

In more detail, the process for naming aldehydes in organic chemistry follows specific rules set by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The first step is to identify the longest carbon chain in the molecule that includes the carbonyl group (C=O). This chain is named as the parent alkane, but the 'e' at the end is replaced with 'al' to indicate the presence of the aldehyde group.

For example, if the longest chain has two carbons, the parent alkane is ethane. When the 'e' is replaced with 'al', the name becomes ethanal. If the longest chain has three carbons, the parent alkane is propane, and the aldehyde is named propanal.

The carbon in the carbonyl group is always considered to be carbon number 1 for numbering purposes in the molecule. If there are other substituents on the carbon chain, their positions are indicated by numbers, with the carbonyl carbon as number 1. For example, if there is a methyl group on the second carbon of propanal, the molecule is named 2-methylpropanal.

If there are multiple aldehyde groups, the suffix 'dial' is used instead of 'al'. For example, a molecule with two aldehyde groups on a two-carbon chain is named ethanedial.

Remember, the 'e' in the corresponding alkane is replaced with 'al' to name aldehydes. The position of the aldehyde group is always considered to be at carbon 1, and other groups are numbered accordingly.