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Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 12, Problem 10c

Classify each of the following alcohols as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
c. Chemical structure of an alcohol with a benzene ring and a hydroxyl (OH) group attached.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the classification of alcohols. Alcohols are classified based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl (-OH) group. A primary (1°) alcohol has one alkyl group, a secondary (2°) alcohol has two alkyl groups, and a tertiary (3°) alcohol has three alkyl groups attached to the carbon bonded to the -OH group.
Step 2: Examine the structure of the alcohol provided in the image. Identify the carbon atom directly bonded to the hydroxyl (-OH) group.
Step 3: Count the number of alkyl groups attached to this carbon atom. Alkyl groups are groups of carbon atoms connected to the central carbon atom.
Step 4: Based on the number of alkyl groups, classify the alcohol. If there is one alkyl group, it is primary (1°); if there are two alkyl groups, it is secondary (2°); if there are three alkyl groups, it is tertiary (3°).
Step 5: Confirm your classification by ensuring that the structure matches the definition of the alcohol type you have identified.

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Key Concepts

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

Alcohol Classification

Alcohols are classified based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom that carries the hydroxyl (-OH) group. A primary (1°) alcohol has one carbon atom attached to the carbon with the -OH group, a secondary (2°) alcohol has two, and a tertiary (3°) alcohol has three. This classification is crucial for understanding the reactivity and properties of different alcohols.
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Structural Representation

Understanding the structural representation of alcohols is essential for classification. Alcohols can be depicted using structural formulas that show the arrangement of atoms. Recognizing how to interpret these structures allows one to identify whether the alcohol is primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the connectivity of the carbon atoms.
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Reactivity and Properties of Alcohols

The classification of alcohols into primary, secondary, and tertiary categories significantly influences their chemical reactivity and physical properties. For instance, primary alcohols tend to undergo oxidation more readily than secondary and tertiary alcohols. This knowledge is important for predicting the behavior of alcohols in chemical reactions and their applications in organic synthesis.
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