Naming a compound (1 Viewer)

[atBondi]

Why is CH2BRCHOH called 2 bromoethanol?
i thought it took the smallest number from where you count?

 

[adomad]

the functional group takes priority and in this case it is the hydroxyl group (-OH). hence, the bromine atom is attached to the second carbon... 2-bromoethanol. and i think that there is something wrong with that structual formula... doesn't work out cause the first carbon only has 3 bonds.. not 4.

 

[adomad]

yeah, CBrH2-CH2-OH