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Ch.22 - Organic Chemistry
Chapter 22, Problem 71b

Name each alcohol. b.

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1
Step 1: Identify the longest carbon chain that contains the hydroxyl group (-OH). This will determine the base name of the alcohol.
Step 2: Number the carbon chain starting from the end nearest to the hydroxyl group to give the -OH group the lowest possible number.
Step 3: Identify and name any substituents (alkyl groups or other functional groups) attached to the main carbon chain.
Step 4: Combine the names of the substituents with the base name of the alcohol, placing the substituents in alphabetical order and using numbers to indicate their positions on the carbon chain.
Step 5: Add the suffix '-ol' to the base name to indicate the presence of the hydroxyl group, and ensure the position of the -OH group is indicated by a number if necessary.

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Key Concepts

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

Alcohol Functional Group

Alcohols are organic compounds characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom. This functional group is responsible for the chemical properties of alcohols, including their ability to form hydrogen bonds, which affects their boiling points and solubility in water.
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Nomenclature of Alcohols

The naming of alcohols follows the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) system, where the longest carbon chain containing the hydroxyl group is identified. The suffix '-ol' is added to the name of the alkane corresponding to the longest chain, and the position of the hydroxyl group is indicated by a number, ensuring clarity in the structure.
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Classification of Alcohols

Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. Primary alcohols have one carbon attached, secondary alcohols have two, and tertiary alcohols have three. This classification influences their reactivity and the types of reactions they undergo.
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