Question

Differentiate between Primary, secondary and a tertiary alcohols and draw three structures for each type of alcohol as an example

i) primary alcohol
ii) secondary alcohol
iii) tertiary alcohol

Answer 1

Primary alcohol is an alcohol in whose molecule a functional hydroxyl group is attached to the primary carbon atom (like $-CH_2-OH$). Example:

Secondary alcohol is an alcohol in the molecule of which a functional hydroxyl group is attached to a secondary atom of a carbon (like $-CH(CH_3)-OH)$. Example:

Tertiary alcohol is an alcohol in the molecule of which a functional hydroxyl group is attached to the tertiary carbon atom ($-С(СН_3)_2-OH)$. Example: