Retained name

In chemistry, a retained name is a name for a chemical compound that is recommended for use by a system of chemical nomenclature (for example, IUPAC nomenclature) but that is not fully systematic. Retained names are often used for the most fundamental parts of a nomenclature system: almost all the elements have retained names rather than being named systematically, as do the first four alkanes, benzene and most simple heterocyclic compounds. Water and ammonia are other examples of retained names.

References

• Rule R-9. In A Guide to IUPAC Nomenclature of Organic Compounds; IUPAC Recommendations 1993; Blackwell Science: Oxford, 1993. ISBN 0-632-03488-2, <http://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/93/r93_33.htm>