Primary, secondary, tertiary alcohols

  • Thread starter Thread starter DespicableMe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Alcohols
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The classification of alcohols is determined by the number and arrangement of hydroxyl (OH) groups attached to the carbon chain. In the case of compounds with multiple hydroxyl groups, such as glycols, the classification is not based on a single carbon but rather on the overall structure. For instance, a compound with two hydroxyl groups is classified as a glycol, while those with three are termed triols. Misclassifications, such as labeling a compound with multiple hydroxyls as a secondary alcohol, are incorrect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of organic chemistry nomenclature
  • Familiarity with alcohol classification (primary, secondary, tertiary)
  • Knowledge of functional groups in organic compounds
  • Basic concepts of molecular structure and bonding
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and reactions of glycols and triols
  • Study the structural differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols
  • Explore the synthesis and applications of polyols in chemistry
  • Learn about the role of hydroxyl groups in organic reactions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, organic chemists, and anyone interested in understanding alcohol classifications and their implications in chemical reactions.

DespicableMe
Messages
40
Reaction score
0
How do we figure out the class of the alcohol if there is more than one hydroxyl group attached to the main HC chain?

For example, I know that
CH3 - CH2 - OH is PRIMARY
But what about something like

OH...OH
CH2 - CH - CH2 - CH (The ... is to take up space so that the OH's are on top of a CH)

Why is it a 20 alcohol?
WHen there's more than one OH, which Carbon with the attached OH group do we judge to decide the class?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It isn't done like that. If it has two hydroxyls it is a glycol. It can have some combination of primary, secondary and even tertiary hydroxyls. More than two can be triols (3) or usually just polyols.

Whoever told you that your compound was a secondary alcohol was wrong.
 

Similar threads

Why Does 3-Methylheptane Have 18 Hydrogens Instead of 16?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
OChem Tosylation Reaction: Predicting Major Product with p-TsOH Catalyst
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Chemistry Expanding and Naming of Abbreviated Chemical Formulas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
What is the basicity of carbon: primary, secondary, tertiary
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Organic Chemistry - Nomenclature Structures
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
13K
Ethanoic acid + 3 methyl, butanol -> name?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
17K
Why Do Radicals React Differently with Br?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Ochem: H2O & HBr Reactions 2nd Semester Organic Chemistry
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Project on Alcohols: Chemistry & Info
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Alkylation of acetyl anions They say only primary halides are used, so ?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K