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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2:24 minutes

Problem 26c,d

Textbook Question

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

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 lowest possible number for the -OH group.

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 numbered carbon atoms.

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. The hydroxyl group is indicated by the suffix '-ol'.

Step 5: Determine the classification of the alcohol (primary, secondary, or tertiary) based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. A primary alcohol has one carbon attached, a secondary has two, and a tertiary has three.

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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 bonded to the carbon atom that carries the hydroxyl (-OH) group. A primary alcohol has one carbon atom attached to the carbon with the -OH group, a secondary alcohol has two, and a tertiary alcohol has three. This classification is crucial for understanding the reactivity and properties of different alcohols.

Systematic Naming of Alcohols

The systematic naming of alcohols follows the IUPAC nomenclature rules, where the longest carbon chain containing the -OH group is identified, and the suffix '-ol' is added to the name. The position of the -OH group is indicated by a number corresponding to its location on the carbon chain. This systematic approach ensures clarity and consistency in naming organic compounds.

Structural Representation

Understanding structural representations of organic compounds, such as skeletal formulas or condensed structures, is essential for identifying functional groups and determining the classification of alcohols. These representations visually convey the arrangement of atoms and bonds, allowing for accurate naming and classification based on the structure provided in the question.