chemistry Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...

, 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 as ...

of an unadorned

ion An ion () is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge. The charge of an electron is considered to be negative by convention and this charge is equal and opposite to the charge of a proton, which is considered to be positive by conve ...

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 bioch ...

from which

derivatives The derivative of a function is the rate of change of the function's output relative to its input value. Derivative may also refer to: In mathematics and economics * Brzozowski derivative in the theory of formal languages * Formal derivative, an ...

can be visualized. Parent structures underpin

systematic nomenclature A chemical nomenclature is a set of rules to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used most frequently worldwide is the one created and developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The ...

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 rest ...

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 Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...

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 Porphine or porphin is an organic chemical compound with formula . The molecule, which is flat, consists of four pyrrole-like rings joined by four methine (= C H−) groups to form a larger macrocycle ring, which makes it the simplest of the t ...

, 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) at ...

is a derivative of benzene. File:Porphyrin.svg,

Porphine Porphine or porphin is an organic chemical compound with formula . The molecule, which is flat, consists of four pyrrole-like rings joined by four methine (= C H−) groups to form a larger macrocycle ring, which makes it the simplest of the t ...

is the parent of porphyrins. File:PPIXtransH.png,

Protoporphyrin IX Protoporphyrin IX is an organic compound, classified as a porphyrin, that plays an important role in living organisms as a precursor to other critical compounds like heme (hemoglobin) and chlorophyll. It is a deeply colored solid that is not sol ...

is a natural derivative of the parent porphine. File:H2octaethylporphyrin.png ,

Octaethylporphyrin Octaethylporphyrin (H2OEP) is an organic compound that is a relative of naturally occurring heme pigments. The compound is used in the preparation of models for the prosthetic group in heme proteins. It is a dark purple solid that is soluble in ...

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 A ring system is a disc or ring, orbiting an astronomical object, that is composed of solid material such as dust and moonlets, and is a common component of satellite systems around giant planets. A ring system around a planet is also known as ...

.''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

parent hydride In chemistry, a parent hydride in IUPAC nomenclature refers to a main group compound with the formula , where A is a main group element. The names of parent hydrides end with ''-ane'', analogous with the nomenclature for alkanes. Derivatives o ...

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-toxic, an ...

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

. File:Phenylphosphine-2D-skeletal.png,

Phenylphosphine Phenylphosphine is an organophosphorus compound with the chemical formula C6H5PH2. It is the phosphorus analog of aniline. Like other primary phosphines, phenylphosphine has an intense penetrating odor and is highly oxidizable. It is mainly used ...

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