Concept:
Glyceraldehyde is a simple aldose sugar belonging to the class of monosaccharides. It contains both an aldehyde group and hydroxyl groups.
Its molecular formula is:
\[
C_3H_6O_3
\]
The structural formula can be written as:
\[
CHO - CHOH - CH_2OH
\]
In IUPAC nomenclature, the aldehyde group has the highest priority and must be assigned carbon number 1.
Step 1: Identify the longest carbon chain.
The molecule contains three carbon atoms, so the parent chain is propane.
Step 2: Identify the functional groups.
• Aldehyde group \((-CHO)\) at carbon 1
• Hydroxyl groups \((-OH)\) at carbons 2 and 3
Step 3: Construct the name.
• Two hydroxyl groups $\rightarrow$ dihydroxy
• Aldehyde functional group $\rightarrow$ suffix -al
Thus, the IUPAC name becomes:
\[
\text{2,3-dihydroxypropanal}
\]