In naming hydrocarbon derivatives, the functional group often determines the suffix used in naming.

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not at all

Answer: (A)

The suffix in naming hydrocarbon derivatives is determined by the functional group present, because the ending signals the compound’s class and main reactive feature. In substitutive naming, you pick the longest carbon chain that contains the principal functional group and attach a suffix that reflects that group. For example, alcohols use the suffix -ol, so a molecule with a hydroxyl group will be named as an alcohol (ethanol is the classic example). Carboxylic acids use -oic acid, so a chain containing a carboxyl group becomes an acid (ethanoic acid). Aldehydes end with -al, ketones with -one, and alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes use -ane, -ene, and -yne respectively.

If more than one functional group is present, the one with higher priority determines the suffix, and the others are treated as prefixes. For instance, a molecule that has both a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group is named as a carboxylic acid with a hydroxy substituent, not as an alcohol.

So the statement is correct because the ending you choose directly encodes the main functional group of the derivative.