Classifying Alcohols
- Alcohols are a family of molecules that contain the hydroxyl functional group, -OH
- Their general formula is CnH2n+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
