Textbook Question
Classify each of the following alcohols as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
a.
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Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives11
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy54
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements51
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions41
- Ch.8 Gases29
- Ch.9 Solutions51
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium65
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons78
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones83
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides90
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis83
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production67
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Timberlake 13th EditionCh.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and KetonesProblem 10d
Timberlake 13th EditionCh.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and KetonesProblem 10dChapter 12, Problem 10d
Classify each of the following alcohols as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
d. 
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the classification of alcohols. Alcohols are classified based on the number of alkyl groups (R groups) attached to the carbon atom that is 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 with 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 (R groups) attached to the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group. Remember that hydrogen atoms do not count as alkyl groups.
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, it is secondary (2°); and if there are three, it is tertiary (3°).
Step 5: Confirm your classification by double-checking the structure and ensuring the correct number of alkyl groups has been 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 attached to the carbon atom bearing 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 in various forms, such as structural formulas or skeletal formulas, which show the arrangement of atoms. Recognizing how to interpret these representations allows one to identify the type of alcohol based on its structure.
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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 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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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Classify each of the following alcohols as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
d.
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Textbook Question
Classify each of the following alcohols as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
c.
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Textbook Question
Are each of the following soluble, slightly soluble, or insoluble in water? Explain.
a. CH3—CH2—CH2—OH
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Textbook Question
Give an explanation for each of the following observations:
b. 1-Propanol is soluble in water, but ethyl methyl ether is only slightly soluble.
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Textbook Question
Identify each of the following compounds as an aldehyde or a ketone:
c.
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