In
IUPAC nomenclature, a
parent structure,
parent compound,
parent name or simply
parent is the denotation for a compound consisting of an unbranched chain of
skeletal atoms (not necessarily carbon), or consisting of an unsubstituted
monocyclic or polycyclic ring system. Parent structures bearing one or more
functional groups that are not specifically denoted by a suffix are called
functional parents. Names of parent structures are used in IUPAC nomenclature as basis for systematic names.