Chemistry Nomenclature Practice Test 2025 – Your All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

The correct IUPAC name for the compound with the molecular formula C3H8O can indeed be either Propan-1-ol or Propan-2-ol, depending on the position of the hydroxyl (-OH) group.

In organic chemistry, the position of functional groups, like hydroxyl groups, is crucial in determining the naming of alcohols.

Propan-1-ol, also known as n-propanol, has the hydroxyl group attached to the first carbon of the propane chain. On the other hand, Propan-2-ol, commonly referred to as isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol, has the hydroxyl group attached to the second carbon.

The reasoning behind the ability to have two different names for the same molecular formula lies in structural isomerism. In this case, the two alcohols are structural isomers of each other, with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties. When naming, it is crucial to specify the location of the hydroxyl group, as this defines the type of alcohol and its properties.

For this reason, indicating that either Propan-1-ol or Propan-2-ol could be the name, depending on the