Question

How would you name the following compound?

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{H}\\
|\\
\ce{H - C = O}
\end{array}\]

Answer 1

The name of the compound is methanal, as the structure contains one carbon atom and an aldehyde group (-CHO), which is indicated by using 'al' as the suffix. Hence, replacing the last letter 'e' of methane with 'al' we get the name methanal.