See image — IUPAC and Nomenclature Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1 - Identify the parent chain and substituents: The compound has the structure CH3-CH(C6H5)-CH2-OH. The longest carbon chain containing the principal characteristic group (OH) is a 3-carbon chain: C1(CH3) - C2(CH) - C3(CH2OH). Wait, let us re-read: CH3 — CH — CH2 — OH with C6H5 on the middle carbon. So the chain is: CH3 (C1) — CH (C2, bearing C6H5) — CH2 — OH (C3). This is a 3-carbon chain with an OH group. Step 2 - Identify the principal characteristic group: The OH group is the principal characteristic group, so the parent chain is named as a propanol. Step 3 - Number the chain to give the lowest locant to OH: Numbering from the OH end: C1 = CH2OH, C2 = CH(C6H5), C3 = CH3. This gives OH at C1. Alternatively, numbering from the methyl end: C1 = CH3, C2 = CH(C6H5), C3 = CH2OH, giving OH at C3. The lowest locant rule requires OH at C1, so we number from the CH2OH end. Step 4 - Name the compound: Parent chain = propan-1-ol (3 carbons, OH at C1). Substituent = phenyl at C2. Full IUPAC name = 2-Phenylpropan-1-ol. Step 5 - Eliminate incorrect options: - (b) 2-Phenylpropan-3-ol: incorrect because this would place OH at C3, violating the lowest locant rule. - (c) 1-(2-Hydroxy-1-methylethyl) benzene: this uses benzene as the parent, which is not preferred when a principal characteristic group (OH) is present in the chain; also the name construction is non-standard for IUPAC 2013 recommendations. - (d) 1-((Hydroxymethyl)ethyl) benzene: similarly uses benzene as parent and is not the preferred IUPAC name. The correct IUPAC name following preferred IUPAC nomenclature is 2-Phenylpropan-1-ol. Therefore, the correct answer is A.