Classifying Alcohols (Edexcel A Level Chemistry)

• Alcohols are a family of molecules that contain the hydroxyl functional group, -OH
• Their general formula is  C_nH_2n+1OH
• The nomenclature of alcohols follows the pattern alkan + ol
• If there are two -OH groups present the molecule is called a diol

The first four Alcohols and their Structures Table

• Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on the number of carbons attached to the functional group carbon
  • Primary alcohols are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to one other carbon atom (or alkyl group)
  • Secondary alcohols are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to two other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)
  • Tertiary alcohols are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to three other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)

Classifying primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols and alcohols with more than one alcohol group