The IUPAC name of alcohols can derive from the following rules:
# Identify the longest carbon chain, and number each carbon. Name the base alkane according to the organic nomenclature rules.
# Identify the hydroxyl group and which carbon it is on. To be alcohol, the -OH must be bonded to a carbon.
# Use the suffix -ol to denote which carbon the alcohol group is on. A three-carbon chain with the -OH on the second carbon would be propan-2-ol. Note that in some instances, common names are better.
# If the -OH is on the end of the chain, or the carbon chain is only 1 or 2, use no number.
# Use standard Greek prefixes to name molecules with two or more -OH groups (di- for 2, and so on).