Question

What is the IUPAC name of picric acid?

• A. 2-Nitrophenol
• B. 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol
• C. Ethyl Salicylic acid
• D. 2-Aminophenol

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Picric acid is a well-known chemical compound used in various applications ranging from explosives to dyes. The correct IUPAC name for picric acid is "2,4,6-Trinitrophenol."

Explanation:

• Phenol Structure: Picric acid is derived from phenol, which consists of a benzene ring bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH).
• Nitro Groups: In picric acid, three nitro groups (-NO₂) are attached to the benzene ring. Their positions are at carbon atoms 2, 4, and 6.
• Naming Convention: According to IUPAC nomenclature, when naming aromatic compounds with substituents, the hydroxyl group takes priority as the principal functional group. Therefore, the name starts with "phenol." The positions of the nitro groups are indicated by numbering the carbons in the benzene ring, starting from the carbon with the hydroxyl group (numbered as 1). As a result, we describe the compound as "2,4,6-Trinitrophenol."

Therefore, the IUPAC name of picric acid is 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol.

Answer 2

Picric acid is the common name for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.
It is a phenolic compound, meaning it has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a benzene ring.
The name "2,4,6-trinitrophenol" comes from the positions of the nitro groups (NO₂) attached to the benzene ring. The numbers 2, 4, and 6 indicate the positions of the nitro groups, while "phenol" refers to the hydroxyl group attached to the benzene ring.

Thus, 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol is the correct IUPAC name for picric acid.