What is the IUPAC name for a compound containing a chloromethyl group attached to a cyclohexane ring?

The correct answer, chloromethylcyclohexane, reflects the proper IUPAC naming conventions for the compound in question. In this name, "chloromethyl" denotes the presence of a chloromethyl group (–CH2Cl) as a substituent, while "cyclohexane" specifies that the core structure is a cyclohexane ring.

In IUPAC nomenclature, the substituent is named first, followed by the parent hydrocarbon. Since the chloromethyl group is the functional group and provides specific information about the substitution on the cyclohexane, it is positioned before "cyclohexane" in the name. This accurately represents the relationship and hierarchy between the substituent and the main ring structure.

Choosing an alternative name like chlorocyclohexylmethane could imply a different structural relationship, as it suggests a cyclohexane ring bonded to a chlorocyclohexyl group, which is not the case. Similarly, cyclohexylchloromethane might give the impression of a cyclohexane moiety with a chloromethyl substituent, but the terminology doesn't align with how the substituents are prioritized in IUPAC naming. Finally, chloroc