ABSTRACT
The function of nomenclature is to provide an acceptable name for a given compound in a particular context. Nomenclature algorithms are available to generate names from structure drawing programs. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature is a series of protocols, not a precise recipe, so it is often possible to arrive at two or more systematic names that each accords with IUPAC recommendations. Multiplicative prefixes show the number of identical features in a structure and are placed before the part of the name they refer to. Substituent prefixes are placed in alphabetical order according to their name. Chemical Abstracts (CAS) nomenclature in general accords with IUPAC principles and can be considered a special case of it, but because CAS needs to arrive at a unique name for each substance, its rules are more definitive. The heading parent consists of a molecular skeleton and a suffix detailing the principal functional group.
