Common names of ketones involve naming two alkyl or aryl groups bonded to the carbonyl group. Greek letters (α, α’, β, β’, etc.) indicate the locations of substituents, starting with the carbon atoms next to the carbonyl group.
How are common names of ketones determined, and what role do Greek letters play in indicating substituent locations?
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Common names of ketones are determined by naming the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the carbonyl group in alphabetical order, followed by the word “ketone.” Greek letters, such as alpha (α), beta (β), etc., are used to indicate the position of substituents on the carbon chain. The carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group is designated as the alpha carbon, the next as beta, and so forth. Greek letters help specify the location of substituents and provide a systematic way to name ketones with multiple substituents, aiding in the precise identification of their structures in organic chemistry nomenclature.