IUPAC name of m-cresol is.......... .

Options

A. 3-methylphenol
B. 3-chlorophenol
C. 3-methoxyphenol
D. benzene-1, 3-diol

Explanation

To determine the IUPAC name of m-cresol, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of m-cresol
m-cresol, also known as meta-cresol, has a benzene ring with two substituents: a hydroxyl group (–OH) and a methyl group (–CH3). The methyl group is located at the meta position relative to the hydroxyl group.

### Step 2: Determine the parent compound
The parent compound for m-cresol is phenol, which is a benzene ring with a hydroxyl group attached.

### Step 3: Number the carbon atoms
When naming the compound, we start numbering the carbon atoms from the carbon that has the hydroxyl (–OH) group. This carbon is assigned the number 1. The numbering continues around the ring:
- Carbon 1: –OH group
- Carbon 2: adjacent to –OH
- Carbon 3: meta position (where the –CH3 group is located)
- Carbon 4: adjacent to Carbon 3
- Carbon 5: adjacent to Carbon 4
- Carbon 6: adjacent to Carbon 5

### Step 4: Identify the substituents
In this case, we have:
- One hydroxyl group at position 1 (–OH)
- One methyl group at position 3 (–CH3)

### Step 5: Write the IUPAC name
According to IUPAC nomenclature, we name the substituents in alphabetical order, followed by the name of the parent compound. Therefore, we write:
- 3-Methyl (for the methyl group at position 3)
- Phenol (for the parent compound)

Combining these, the IUPAC name of m-cresol is **3-methylphenol**.

### Final Answer:
The IUPAC name of m-cresol is **3-methylphenol**.

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