Why are systematic names preferred over common names?????????????

Because systematic names are the same everywhere in the world whereas common names can be different from place to place.


Also systematic names are specific to only 1 compound or isomer of a compound whereas common names can specify more than one compound, Take Butane (C4H10) for instance, the common name butane can refer to either of the two isomers whereas the systematic names n-Butane and 2-Methylpropane each refer to exactly one specific isomer of butane.


Finally, common names can have their roots derived from something completely unrelated to the actual properties or systematic name of the compound, take Potassium Nitrate also known as Saltpetre or Saltpeter depending on where you live, the only thing the common name has in common with the actual compound is that KNO醿?is a salt.

Why are systematic names preferred over common names?????????????
Systematic names are usually preferred because of consistency and uniformity of designation. Anyone studying chemistry can figure out the chemical substance even without not being totally familiar with it. For instance, any chemist can figure out what 2,2,4 trimethyl pentane is even if he/she is not familiar with the common name. There are rules for naming so,it is very systematic and easily translated.





However, there are names, through constant use and tradition keep their common names simply because it is easier to be understood. For example, nobody customarily refers to WATER as dihydrogen oxide. And if you do, you are just so full of it, even if you are talking to chemists. Probably, in jest, yes.





Sometimes, the systematic names are much longer than common names that it is just easier to use the common name sometimes.
Reply:They are not always preferred. For example: Professors ask students about ethanoic acid? This is acetic acid! Methanal is formaldehyde! Ethene is ethylene! Propene is propylene! Taklking about chemical names is like living in India. The official languages of India are English and Hindi. But there are dozens of other languages. And there are dozens of other naming "systems" for naming compounds. All of these naming systems are equally good. This is the genius of organic chemistry.
Reply:If I asked you the concentration of 40g of lye dissolved into one liter of water, would you calculate it using sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide? Both are called "lye."





Common names are often used, however, when there is no ambiguity (eg, no other acid goes by the name acetic acid).
Reply:systematic names are preferred over common names because scientist wanted to be different and sound smarter.

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