Question

classify each of the molecules below.

ch₃ - ch - ch₂ - ch₂ - oh
ch₃ - c - ch₃
ch₃ - c - oh

primary alcohol
primary alcohol
primary alcohol
secondary alcohol
secondary alcohol
secondary alcohol
tertiary alcohol
tertiary alcohol
tertiary alcohol
quaternary alcohol
quaternary alcohol
quaternary alcohol

Explanation:

Step1: Recall alcohol - classification rules

Primary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon that is bonded to only one other carbon. Secondary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon that is bonded to two other carbons. Tertiary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon that is bonded to three other carbons. There is no quaternary alcohol as the carbon with -OH cannot be bonded to four other carbons while also having the -OH group.

Step2: Analyze the first molecule

In the molecule $CH_3 - CH(CH_3)-CH_2 - CH_2-OH$, the carbon - atom to which the -OH group is attached is bonded to only one other carbon atom. So it is a primary alcohol.

Step3: Analyze the second molecule

In the molecule $CH_3 - C(CH_3)(OH)-CH_3$, the carbon - atom to which the -OH group is attached is bonded to three other carbon atoms ($CH_3$ groups). So it is a tertiary alcohol.

Step4: Analyze the third molecule

In the molecule $CH_3 - C(CH_3)(OH)-CH_3$, the carbon - atom to which the -OH group is attached is bonded to three other carbon atoms ($CH_3$ groups). So it is a tertiary alcohol.

Answer:

First molecule: primary alcohol
Second molecule: tertiary alcohol
Third molecule: tertiary alcohol