Chemistry Why is ethanol considered the parent chain in naming this benzene derivative?

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In the naming of the molecule 1‐(3‐nitrophenyl)ethanol, ethanol is considered the parent chain because it has the highest priority due to the presence of the hydroxyl (OH) group. The oxygen in the ethyl group elevates its priority over the phenyl group. If the hydroxyl group were replaced with a hydrogen atom, the compound would be named 3-ethyl nitromethane, indicating a shift in priority. Conversely, if one carbon is removed from the ethyl group, the molecule would be referred to as 3-nitrotoluene. This clarification highlights the importance of functional groups in determining parent chain status in organic nomenclature.
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Name the following molecule (below)
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1670911286423.png

The name of this molecule is 1‐(3‐nitrophenyl)ethanol. I'm confused why ethanol is treated as the parent chain in this case, not the phenyl group. If the ring is composed of more atoms, should it be the parent chain?
Thank you.
 
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Because ethanol is the highest priority group.
 
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To help make it clear, it's the oxygen on the ethyl group that gives it the priority. Replace the OH with H and it becomes 3 ethyl nitromethane. On the other hand, lose a carbon at the ethyl and it becomes 3 nitrotoluene, so hopefully that clears everything up!
 

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