How many different primary alcohols can be formed with the molecular formula $C_4{H}_{10}O$?

• A. $4$
• B. $3$
• C. $1$
• D. $2$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula given: \(C_4H_{10}O\). This corresponds to alcohols with four carbons and one oxygen atom.
2. Recall that primary alcohols have the hydroxyl group (\(-OH\)) attached to a primary carbon, which is a carbon bonded to only one other carbon.
3. List all possible carbon skeletons (isomers) for \(C_4H_{10}\): butane (straight chain) and isobutane (branched chain).
4. Attach the \(-OH\) group to each primary carbon in these skeletons to form primary alcohols. For butane, the \(-OH\) can be on carbon 1 or carbon 4 (which are equivalent due to symmetry), giving one unique primary alcohol. For isobutane, identify the primary carbons and attach \(-OH\) to each unique position.
5. Count the unique primary alcohols formed from these structures, ensuring no duplicates due to symmetry or identical positions.