Which functional group takes higher precedence in naming, alcohol or double bond?

In organic chemistry nomenclature, functional groups are prioritized based on certain rules established by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). When determining which functional group takes precedence in naming, alcohols and double bonds are considered in the context of their structural importance within a compound.

In this context, alcohols (which contain a hydroxyl group, -OH) are given higher precedence than double bonds (alkenes), particularly when naming the main functional group of a compound. When a compound contains both an alcohol and a double bond, the alcohol is prioritized.

This means that in a compound with both functional groups, the naming process will primarily reflect the presence of the alcohol. For example, a compound that has both a hydroxy group and a double bond would typically be named as an alcohol, with the double bond being included as a substituent feature rather than the main functional group. As a result, the alcohol will dictate the suffix used in the compound's name, usually resulting in terms like "-ol" for alcohols, while the double bond is represented by a corresponding prefix like "alkenyl."

This precedence rule is essential for clearly conveying the compound's structure and functionality in its name, which is crucial for effective communication in chemical