Which of the following are a) primary alcohols? b) secondary alcohols? c) tertiary alcohols? d) diols? e) triols?
1. isopropanol
2. 1,2,3-propanetriol
3. 2,4- dimethyl-1-hexanol
4. 2,3-dimethyl-2-pentanol
5. cyclohexanol
6. ethyl alcohol

Question

Which of the following are a) primary alcohols? b) secondary alcohols? c) tertiary alcohols? d) diols? e) triols?
1. isopropanol
2. 1,2,3-propanetriol
3. 2,4- dimethyl-1-hexanol
4. 2,3-dimethyl-2-pentanol
5. cyclohexanol
6. ethyl alcohol

istim · Answer

Hello? You can tell what they are by the number of carbon atoms are attached to the carbonyl (or carboxyl?) group which is attached to the hydroxide (OH) group.

vincent-lyon.fr · Answer

d and e are answered by counting the total number of OH groups in the molecule or simply looking at the name ending.

For a, b and c, draw the structures and count the number of alkyl groups linked to the carbon bearing to OH group: this will give you the order of the alcohol.