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

[jolly_math]

Homework Statement

Name the following molecule (below)

Relevant Equations

naming

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.

 

[Mayhem]

Because ethanol is the highest priority group.

 

[hexanol]

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!