Classification of Alcohols

Classification of Alcohols

Primary Alcohols (1°)

• In primary alcohols, the carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached is bonded to no more than one other carbon atom.
• The remaining bonds on this carbon atom are connected to hydrogen atoms.

Example of a Primary Alcohol (Ethanol):

• Structural Formula: CH₃CH₂OH
• In this case, the carbon atom in the -OH group is bonded to only one other carbon atom (C₂H₅).

Secondary Alcohols (2°)

• In secondary alcohols, the carbon atom carrying the hydroxyl group is bonded to two other carbon atoms.
• There is only one bond to a hydrogen atom in secondary alcohols.

Example of a Secondary Alcohol (Isopropanol):

• Structural Formula: (CH₃)2CHOH
• The carbon atom in the -OH group is bonded to two other carbon atoms (C₂H₅ and CH₃).

Tertiary Alcohols (3°)

• Tertiary alcohols feature a carbon atom with the hydroxyl group attached to it, bonded to three other carbon atoms.
• There are no bonds to hydrogen atoms in tertiary alcohols.

Example of a Tertiary Alcohol (Tert-Butanol):

• Structural Formula: (CH₃)3COH
• The carbon atom in the -OH group is bonded to three other carbon atoms (C₃H₇, C₃H₅, and CH₃).

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Classification of Alcohols

Conclusion

• Alcohols can be classified into three groups: primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°), based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom carrying the hydroxyl group.
• These classifications help describe the molecular structure and reactivity of alcohols in various chemical reactions.