Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Naming Alcohols

Organic Chemistry

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Naming Alcohols

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2:04 minutes

Problem 26a,b

Textbook Question

Give each of the following a systematic name and indicate whether each is a primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohol:
a.
b.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the longest carbon chain that contains the hydroxyl group (-OH) in each molecule. This chain will determine the base name of the alcohol.

Step 2: Number the carbon atoms in the chain starting from the end nearest to the hydroxyl group. This ensures the -OH group gets the lowest possible number.

Step 3: Identify and name any substituents attached to the carbon chain. Use the appropriate prefixes (e.g., methyl, ethyl) and indicate their position on the chain using the numbering from Step 2.

Step 4: Combine the names from Steps 1 and 3 to form the complete IUPAC name of the alcohol. The position of the hydroxyl group should be indicated by a number before the suffix '-ol'.

Step 5: Determine the classification of the alcohol as primary, secondary, or tertiary. A primary alcohol has the -OH group attached to a carbon with two hydrogens, a secondary alcohol has it attached to a carbon with one hydrogen, and a tertiary alcohol has it attached to a carbon with no hydrogens.

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Key Concepts

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

Systematic Naming of Alcohols

Systematic naming of alcohols follows the IUPAC nomenclature rules, where the longest carbon chain containing the hydroxyl (-OH) group is identified. The suffix '-ol' is added to the name of the alkane corresponding to the number of carbon atoms, and the position of the -OH group is indicated by a number. For example, in butanol, the 'but-' indicates four carbons, and the '-ol' signifies the presence of an alcohol.

Classification of Alcohols

Alcohols are classified based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom that carries the hydroxyl 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 it attached to a carbon connected to three other carbons. This classification affects the alcohol's reactivity and properties.

Structural Representation of Organic Compounds

Understanding structural representations, such as condensed formulas or skeletal structures, is crucial for identifying functional groups and the overall structure of organic compounds. These representations help in visualizing the arrangement of atoms and bonds, which is essential for determining the systematic name and classification of alcohols. Familiarity with these structures allows for accurate interpretation of the compounds in the question.

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