Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Alcohols

GOB Chemistry

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Alcohols

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Problem 36a

Textbook Question

Identify each alcohol named in Problem 14.32 as primary, secondary, or tertiary.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Recall the definitions of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. A primary alcohol has the hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to only one other carbon atom. A secondary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms. A tertiary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms.

Step 2: Review the names of the alcohols provided in Problem 14.32. The names will often include structural information or prefixes that indicate the arrangement of carbon atoms around the hydroxyl group.

Step 3: For each alcohol, identify the carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is attached. Count the number of carbon atoms directly bonded to this carbon atom to determine whether the alcohol is primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Step 4: If the name includes a structural descriptor (e.g., '2-propanol' or 'tert-butanol'), use this information to deduce the structure of the molecule. For example, '2-propanol' indicates the -OH group is on the second carbon of a three-carbon chain, making it a secondary alcohol.

Step 5: Classify each alcohol based on the analysis in the previous steps. Label each as primary, secondary, or tertiary, ensuring that your classification aligns with the definitions provided in Step 1.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Types of Alcohols

Alcohols are classified based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom that carries the hydroxyl (-OH) group. A primary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon that is connected to only one other carbon, a secondary alcohol has it attached to a carbon connected to two other carbons, and a tertiary alcohol has the -OH group on a carbon connected to three other carbons.

Structural Representation

Understanding the structural representation of alcohols is crucial for identifying their classification. Structural formulas show how atoms are arranged and bonded, allowing one to determine whether the carbon with the -OH group is primary, secondary, or tertiary based on its connectivity to other carbon atoms.

Nomenclature of Alcohols

The nomenclature of alcohols follows specific rules that help in naming these compounds based on their structure. The IUPAC naming system assigns names based on the longest carbon chain containing the -OH group, which is crucial for identifying the type of alcohol and its classification as primary, secondary, or tertiary.

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