chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the elements that make up matter to the compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions: their composition, structure, proper ...

, a parent structure is the

structure A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized. Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines and natural objects such a ...

of an unadorned ion or

molecule A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and b ...

from which derivatives can be visualized. Parent structures underpin systematic nomenclature and facilitate classification. Fundamental parent structures have one or no

functional group In organic chemistry, a functional group is a substituent or moiety in a molecule that causes the molecule's characteristic chemical reactions. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reactions regardless of the r ...

s and often have various types of symmetry.

Benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms ...

() is a chemical itself consisting of a hexagonal ring of carbon atoms with a hydrogen atom attached to each, and is the parent of many derivatives that have

substituent A substituent is one or a group of atoms that replaces (one or more) atoms, thereby becoming a moiety in the resultant (new) molecule. (In organic chemistry and biochemistry, the terms ''substituent'' and ''functional group'', as well as '' side ...

atoms or groups replacing one or more of the hydrogens. Some parents are rare or nonexistent themselves, as in the case of porphine, though many simple and complex derivatives are known. File:Benzene circle.png,

is the parent. File:Toluene-vec.svg,

Toluene Toluene (), also known as toluol (), is a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with the smell associated with paint thinners. It is a mono-substituted benzene derivative, consisting of a methyl group (CH3) ...

is a derivative of benzene. File:Porphyrin.svg, Porphine is the parent of porphyrins. File:PPIXtransH.png, Protoporphyrin IX is a natural derivative of the parent porphine. File:H2octaethylporphyrin.png , Octaethylporphyrin is a synthetic derivative of the parent porphine.

IUPAC definitions

According to the

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC ) is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations working for the advancement of the chemical sciences, especially by developing nomenclature and terminology. It is ...

, the concept of parent structure is closely related to or identical to parent compound, parent name, or simply parent.

Organic parents

These species consist of an unbranched chain of

skeletal A skeleton is the structural frame that supports the body of an animal. There are several types of skeletons, including the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside ...

atoms, or consisting of an unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic ring system.''Preferred IUPAC Names Provisional Recommendation''
september 200
Chapter 1
Par. P-12.1 Parent structures bearing one or more

s that are not specifically denoted by a suffix are called functional parents. Names of parent structures are used in IUPAC nomenclature as basis for systematic names.

Hydride parents

A parent hydride is a parent structure with one or more

hydrogen Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-to ...

atoms. Parent hydrides have a defined standard population of hydrogen atoms attached to a skeletal structure. Parent hydrides are used extensively in

organic Organic may refer to: * Organic, of or relating to an organism, a living entity * Organic, of or relating to an anatomical organ Chemistry * Organic matter, matter that has come from a once-living organism, is capable of decay or is the product ...

nomenclature, but are also used in inorganic chemistry.Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry IUPAC Recommendations 2005
(Red Book) Par. IR-6 ''Parent Hydride Names and Substitutive Nomenclature'' - Full text PDF File: Monophosphan.svg,

Phosphine Phosphine (IUPAC name: phosphane) is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic compound with the chemical formula , classed as a pnictogen hydride. Pure phosphine is odorless, but technical grade samples have a highly unpleasant odor like rotting ...

is the parent of phosphines. File:Phenylphosphine-2D-skeletal.png, Phenylphosphine is a derivative of the parent phosphine. File: TPPTS.png , 3,3′,3′′-Phosphanetriyltris(benzenesulfonic acid) trisodium salt is a derivative of the parent phosphine.

References

{{Reflist Chemical nomenclature

IUPAC definitions

Organic parents

Hydride parents

See also

References