Concept:
Acetone is the simplest and most common member of the ketone family of organic compounds. Ketones are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group \((C=O)\) bonded to two carbon atoms.
The molecular formula of acetone is:
\[
C_3H_6O
\]
Its structural formula is:
\[
CH_3 - CO - CH_3
\]
In the IUPAC system of nomenclature, naming is based on the longest carbon chain containing the functional group and the position of that group.
Key steps in naming ketones:
• Identify the longest carbon chain.
• Number the chain so that the carbonyl carbon gets the lowest possible number.
• Replace the suffix -ane with -one.
Step 1: Identify the carbon chain.
Acetone contains three carbon atoms, so the parent hydrocarbon is propane.
Step 2: Locate the functional group.
The carbonyl group \((C=O)\) is attached to the second carbon atom.
Step 3: Apply the ketone suffix.
Replacing -ane with -one gives the name:
\[
\text{Propan-2-one}
\]
Thus, the IUPAC name of acetone is Propan-2-one.