Inchemistry, aparent structure is thestructure of an unadornedion ormolecule from whichderivatives can be visualized.[1] Parent structures underpinsystematic nomenclature and facilitate classification. Fundamental parent structures have one or nofunctional groups and often have various types of symmetry.Benzene (C6H6) is a chemical itself consisting of a hexagonalring of carbon atoms with a hydrogen atom attached to each, and is the parent of many derivatives that havesubstituent atoms or groups replacing one or more of the hydrogens. Some parents are rare or nonexistent themselves, as in the case ofporphine, though many simple and complex derivatives are known.
According to theInternational Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the concept of parent structure is closely related to or identical toparent compound,parent name, or simplyparent.
These species consist of an unbranched chain ofskeletal atoms, or consisting of an unsubstitutedmonocyclic orpolycyclic ring system.[2] Parent structures bearing one or morefunctional groups that are not specifically denoted by a suffix are calledfunctional parents.[3] Names of parent structures are used in IUPAC nomenclature as basis for systematic names.
Aparent hydride is a parent structure with one or morehydrogen atoms. Parent hydrides have a defined standard population of hydrogen atoms attached to a skeletal structure. Parent hydrides are used extensively inorganic nomenclature, but are also used in inorganic chemistry.[4]
