Identify the common name of the following compound:CH₃CH₂COCH₂OH

Explanation

For the common naming of a ketone, the two alkyl groups on both the sides of the carbonyl group are first identified, and then Greek letters are used for specifying the position of the carbon atoms near the carbonyl group. Let us now understand the concept of α, β, and γ carbons. α carbon= the one attached to carbonyl group β carbon= the one next to α carbon γ carbon= the one next to β carbon For the compound in question, the hydroxy group is attached to the α carbon and the alkyl groups are ethyl (2 carbons on the left side) and methyl (1 carbon on the right side). Additionally, the alphabetical order is followed while writing alkyl groups. Hence, the common name of the compound becomes α-hydroxy-ethyl methyl ketone.