-al

Suffix used in organic chemistry

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In chemistry, the suffix -al is the IUPAC nomenclature used in organic chemistry to form names of aldehydes containing the -(CO)H group in the systematic form. It was extracted from the word "aldehyde". With the exception of chemical compounds having a higher priority than it, all aldehydes is named with -al, such as 'propanal'. Some aldehydes also have common names, such as formaldehyde for methanal, acetaldehyde for ethanal. Benzaldehyde does not have a systematic form with -al.

References

• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Commission on Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry (1993). Panico, R; Powell, WH; Richer, JC (eds.). A guide to IUPAC nomenclature of organic compounds: recommendations 1993. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications. ISBN 0-632-03702-4.