What is the IUPAC name for the compound C2H5CHO?

The compound C2H5CHO represents an aldehyde with the molecular formula corresponding to two carbons, five hydrogens, and one oxygen. In IUPAC nomenclature, aldehydes are named by replacing the "-e" at the end of the corresponding alkane name with "-al."

For this compound, the longest carbon chain consists of two carbons (C2). The alkane name for a two-carbon chain is "ethane," and when it is converted into an aldehyde, we change the suffix to "-al," resulting in "ethanal." This naming clearly indicates that the compound contains an aldehyde functional group (–CHO) at the end of the carbon chain, confirming the correct IUPAC name as ethanal.

In contrast, acetone (the first choice) is actually a ketone and has the formula C3H6O, which does not match the given compound. Ethylene, on the other hand, refers to an alkene (C2H4), which also does not correspond to the structure of C2H5CHO. Lastly, acetic acid, known as ethanoic acid, corresponds to the formula C2H4O2, which contains a carboxy