Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula $C_4H_{10}O$. Which one of these exhibits optical activity?

Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula C₄H₁₀O. Which one of these exhibits opt

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C_4H_{10}O

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Concept understanding — IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC Nomenclature (Organic Compounds)

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic way to name a compound so that its name alone tells you its exact structure, with no ambiguity. Every organic name follows the same underlying recipe, whatever the functional group.

The Recipe

Identify the principal characteristic group. If the molecule has a functional group senior enough to be named as a suffix (carboxylic acid > ester > amide > nitrile > aldehyde > ketone > alcohol > amine, and so on down the seniority order), that group decides the suffix and must be included in the parent chain. A halogen is never senior enough to be a suffix — it is always named as a prefix ("halo-"), whatever else is present.
Choose the parent chain. The parent is the longest continuous carbon chain that contains the principal characteristic group (if there is one). Among chains of the same length, the one with the most substituents wins.
Number the chain. Number from whichever end gives the LOWEST LOCANT to the principal characteristic group first. If there is no principal group (e.g. a simple haloalkane, or an alkene with a halogen substituent), lowest locant goes to the site of unsaturation (double/triple bond) first, then to substituents as a set.

Watch out

When two numbering directions give the SAME locant for the principal group/unsaturation (a genuine tie), the tie-break is the lowest locant SET for the substituents as a group — compare the two sets at their first point of difference. Only if the sets are themselves tied does the alphabetically-first substituent get the lower number.
Name and cite the substituents as prefixes, in alphabetical order (ignoring multiplying prefixes like di-/tri- but not ignoring structural prefixes like iso-/cyclo-), each with its own locant.
Assemble the name: locants + substituent prefixes (alphabetical) + parent chain name + suffix (if any).

Worked Example

$CH_3-CH(Cl)-CH(CH_3)-CH_2-CH_3$ : the longest chain is 5 carbons (pentane), no principal characteristic group (just a halogen substituent), so number for the lowest locant set. From the left: Cl at C2, methyl at C3 → set {2,3}. From the right: methyl at C3, Cl at C4 → set {3,4}. {2,3} is lower, so numbering from the left wins: 2-chloro-3-methylpentane. …

Why this formula?

IUPAC Nomenclature: Why the Rules Work the Way They Do

IUPAC nomenclature is not a single formula, but a system of rules designed to give every organic compound a unique, unambiguous name. The "why" behind these rules lies in clarity, consistency, and communication — ensuring that a chemist in Tokyo and one in Toronto draw the same structure from the same name.

1. The Core Principle: The Longest Carbon Chain

Rule: Identify the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms. This becomes the parent chain (e.g., pentane, hexane).

Why?

The longest chain represents the backbone of the molecule.
It gives the most stable, fundamental name — shorter chains would be branches, not the main structure.
Example: In a molecule with 5 carbons in a row and a 2-carbon branch, calling it "pentane" (not "ethane") tells you the core skeleton is 5 carbons long.

Key idea: The parent chain is the maximum continuous path — not necessarily the one that looks "straight" on paper.

2. Numbering: Lowest Locants (The "First Point of Difference" Rule)

Rule: Number the parent chain so that substituents get the smallest possible numbers. When there's a tie, compare the first point of difference.

Why?

This ensures reproducibility — two chemists will always number the same way.
It avoids ambiguity: "2-methylpentane" is unambiguous; "3-methylpentane" would be a different compound.
The first point of difference rule: If you have substituents at positions 2,4 and 3,5, choose 2,4 because 2 < 3 (the first number is smaller).

Example:

For a methyl group on carbon 2 vs. carbon 4 of a 5-carbon chain:
- 2-methylpentane (correct)
- 4-methylpentane (wrong — higher number)

3. Alphabetical Order of Substituents

Rule: List substituents in alphabetical order (ignoring prefixes like di-, tri-, sec-, tert- but not iso-).

Why?

Alphabetical order is a universal sorting convention — no need to remember priority based on size or complexity.
It makes names searchable and predictable.
Example: "3-ethyl-2-methylpentane" (e before m) — not "2-methyl-3-ethylpentane".

Exception: Prefixes like iso- and neo- are considered part of the name (e.g., isopropyl comes before methyl because "i" < "m").

4. Multiple Bonds: The "Lowest Locant" Rule for Alkenes/Alkynes

Rule: Number the chain so that the double or triple bond gets the lowest possible number, even if it means giving a substituent a higher number.

Why?

The functional group (alkene/alkyne) is more important than alkyl substituents.
The bond position defines the compound's reactivity and geometry.
Example: In pent-2-ene (not pent-3-ene), the double bond is between carbons 2 and 3 — the lower number (2) is used.

Priority order:

Principal functional group (e.g., -OH, -COOH, C=C)
Multiple bonds
Substituents (alkyl, halo, etc.)

5. The "Suffix" and "Prefix" System …

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Alcohols with formula $\mathrm{C_4H_{10}O}$ are saturated monohydric alcohols — four structural isomers exist (two primary, one secondary, one tertiary). Only butan-2-ol has a chiral carbon and therefore exhibits optical activity.

The molecular formula $\mathrm{C_4H_{10}O}$ fits the general formula $\mathrm{C_nH_{2n+2}O}$ for a saturated alcohol or ether. Since we are asked for alcohols, the functional group is $-\mathrm{OH}$ attached to a carbon chain. The key to finding all isomers is to vary the carbon skeleton (straight vs. branched) and the position of the $-\mathrm{OH}$ group.

Optical activity arises when a molecule has no plane of symmetry — most commonly because it contains a carbon atom bonded to four different groups. That carbon is called a chiral centre (or stereocentre). For a molecule to be optically active, it must exist as non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers). So among the isomers, we look for one with a chiral carbon.

Let’s build the isomers systematically.

Straight-chain (n-butane) skeleton: $\mathrm{C-C-C-C}$

Place the $-\mathrm{OH}$ at the end of the chain: $\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH}$ — this is butan-1-ol (a primary alcohol).

Place the $-\mathrm{OH}$ on the second carbon: $\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH(OH)CH_3}$ — this is butan-2-ol (a secondary alcohol).

No other positions are possible on a four-carbon straight chain (positions 3 and 4 are identical to 2 and 1 by symmetry).
Branched skeleton (isobutane): $\mathrm{C-C(C)-C}$

The carbon backbone is $\mathrm{CH_3CH(CH_3)CH_3}$ (2-methylpropane).

Place $-\mathrm{OH}$ on a terminal carbon: $\mathrm{(CH_3)_2CHCH_2OH}$ — this is 2-methylpropan-1-ol (a primary alcohol).

Place $-\mathrm{OH}$ on the central (tertiary) carbon: $\mathrm{(CH_3)_3COH}$ — this is 2-methylpropan-2-ol (a tertiary alcohol).

No other distinct positions exist.

So we have exactly four structural isomers:

IUPAC Name	Structure	Type
Butan-1-ol	$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH}$	Primary
Butan-2-ol	$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH(OH)CH_3}$	Secondary
2-Methylpropan-1-ol	$\mathrm{(CH_3)_2CHCH_2OH}$	Primary
2-Methylpropan-2-ol	$\mathrm{(CH_3)_3COH}$	Tertiary

Now, which one is optically active? Check each for a chiral carbon.

Butan-1-ol: Carbon-2 has two H atoms, carbon-3 has two H atoms — no carbon is bonded to four different groups. No chirality.
2-Methylpropan-1-ol: The carbon bearing $-\mathrm{OH}$ is $\mathrm{CH_2OH}$ (two H atoms). The central carbon is $\mathrm{CH}$ bonded to two identical methyl groups — not chiral. …

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Step 1: Understand the formula

The molecular formula is $C_4H_{10}O$ .

For an alcohol ( $R-OH$ ), the general formula is $C_nH_{2n+2}O$ .

Here $n=4$ , so $C_4H_{10}O$ fits perfectly — no unsaturation, only saturated alcohols (and ethers, but we focus on alcohols here).

Step 2: Draw all alcohol isomers

We need to arrange 4 carbons in a chain with an –OH group attached. The key: change the carbon skeleton and position of –OH.

1. Butan-1-ol (primary alcohol)

CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-OH

Straight chain, –OH at terminal carbon.

2. Butan-2-ol (secondary alcohol)

CH3-CH2-CH(OH)-CH3

Straight chain, –OH at carbon #2.

3. 2-Methylpropan-1-ol (primary alcohol)

CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-OH

Branched chain (isobutyl group), –OH at terminal carbon.

4. 2-Methylpropan-2-ol (tertiary alcohol)

CH3-C(OH)(CH3)-CH3

Branched chain, –OH at the central (tertiary) carbon.

Total alcohol isomers = 4

Step 3: Which one exhibits optical activity?

Optical activity requires a chiral carbon — a carbon with four different substituents.

Butan-1-ol: No chiral carbon (all carbons have at least two identical H’s or groups).
Butan-2-ol: Carbon #2 has –OH, –H, –CH $_3$ , –CH $_2$ CH $_3$ → four different groups → chiral → exhibits optical activity.
2-Methylpropan-1-ol: No chiral carbon.
2-Methylpropan-2-ol: Central carbon has two identical –CH $_3$ groups → not chiral.

Answer: Butan-2-ol shows optical activity.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Why it happens	How to avoid
Forgetting branched isomers	Students only draw straight-chain alcohols.	Always consider carbon skeletons: straight, branched once, branched twice (if possible). For $C_4$ , draw all possible carbon backbones first.
Counting ethers as alcohols	$C_4H_{10}O$ also includes ethers (e.g., diethyl ether).	The question specifically asks for alcohols — check functional group: –OH must be present.

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

Showing the 12 most recent of 97 on this concept.

CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of CH3CH2COCH2CH3 is$
(a) Diethyl ketone
(b) 3-Pentanone
(c) 2-Pentanone
(d) Methyl propyl ketone
›Reveal solutionSolution

Number the five-carbon chain to give the C=O the lowest locant: the ketone carbon is C-3, so the IUPAC name is pentan-3-one (3-pentanone).

Structure: CH3-CH2-CO-CH2-CH3. The longest chain containing the carbonyl has 5 carbons -> pentanone. Numbering from either end places the carbonyl carbon at position 3. Hence the IUPAC na …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. IUPAC name of [a benzene ring with an -OC2H5 (ethoxy) group attached] is$
(a) Benzyl ethoxide
(b) Benzene ethoxide
(c) Ethoxybenzene
(d) Ethoxybenzoyl
›Reveal solutionSolution

Simple ethers with one aromatic and one alkyl group are IUPAC-named as 'alkoxy' + 'benzene', treating the -OR group as a substituent on the ring.

The compound is a benzene ring bearing an ethoxy substituent (-O-C2H5). Following IUPAC substitutive nomenclature for ethers, the smaller/simpler group's oxygen chain is named as an 'alkoxy' prefix attached to the parent (here benzene):

-OC2H5 = ethoxy group

So the compound is Ethoxybenzene (common name: phenetole).

…

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. IUPAC name of CH3COOH is:$
(a) Ethanol
(b) ethanoic acid
(c) Ethanal
(d) ethane
›Reveal solutionSolution

CH₃COOH is acetic acid, IUPAC name ethanoic acid.

CH₃COOH is a two-carbon carboxylic acid, commonly called acetic acid. In IUPAC nomenclature, carboxylic acids are named by replacing the "-e" of the corresponding alkane name with "-oic …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of Formic acid is :$
(a) Methanoic acid
(b) Ethanoic acid
(c) Ethandioic acid
(d) Methandioic acid
›Reveal solutionSolution
Formic acid, HCOOH, is the one-carbon carboxylic acid, named methanoic acid by IUPAC rules.

Formic acid has the structure H–COOH (a single carbon bearing the carboxyl group). To name a carboxylic acid by IUPAC nomenclature:

Select the longest carbon chain including the –COOH carbon.

Replace the terminal '-e' of the corresponding alkane name with '-oic acid'.

Here the chain has just one carbon (methane), so the name becomes methanoic acid.

…
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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of isobutyl chloride is$
(a) 2-chlorobutane
(b) 1-chloro-2-methyl propane
(c) 2-chloro-2-methyl propane
(d) 1-chlorobutane
›Reveal solutionSolution

Isobutyl chloride has the structure (CH3)2CH-CH2-Cl. Number the longest chain (propane, 3 carbons) so the substituent (Cl) gets the lowest locant, then name the methyl branch.

Structure of isobutyl chloride: (CH3)2CH-CH2-Cl

This can be redrawn as: Cl-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH3

Step 1: Identify the longest carbon chain containing the point of attachment of Cl. That's a 3-carbon (propane) chain: C1(CH2Cl)-C2(CH, bearing a methyl branch)-C3(CH3).

…

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 mark
$Q. Write IUPAC name of the following compound:$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Numbering the 6-carbon chain from the -COOH carbon (C1) puts the ketone at C4 and the terminal bromine at C6, giving 6-bromo-4-oxohexanoic acid.

The drawn structure is a straight 6-carbon chain: BrCH2-CH2-CO-CH2-CH2-COOH, i.e. a terminal -CH2Br at one end and -COOH at the other, with a ketone in between.

The carboxylic acid (-COOH) is the senior group and is numbered C1.

Numbering from that end: C1 (COOH), C2 (CH2), C3 (CH2), C4 (the ketone C=O), C5 (CH2), C6 (the terminal CH2Br). …
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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of CH3COOH is$
(a) Acetic acid
(b) Formic acid
(c) Ethanoic acid
(d) Methanoic acid
›Reveal solutionSolution

CH3COOH = ethanoic acid (IUPAC).

CH3COOH has two carbon atoms and a −COOH group. In IUPAC nomenclature, a two-carbon carboxylic acid is 'ethan' (two carbons) + 'oic acid' = ethanoic acid. Its common (trivial) …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of CH3-CH(OH)-CH3 is$
(a) Propan-1-ol
(b) Propan-2-ol
(c) n-propyl alcohol
(d) Isopropyl alcohol
›Reveal solutionSolution

CH3−CH(OH)−CH3 = propan-2-ol.

The chain has three carbons (propane). The −OH group is attached to the central (second) carbon. Numbering to give the OH the lowest locant places it at position 2, so the …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The structure of a valuable organic compound used as solvent in many chemical industries is shown below (a central carbon bearing a CH₃ group above, a CH₃ group to the left, an OH group below, and a -CH₂-OCH₃ group to the right). The IUPAC name of the organic compound is$
(a) 1-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-ol
(b) 3-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-ol
(c) 1-methoxy-3-methylpropan-3-ol
(d) 2-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-ol
›Reveal solutionSolution
The structure is (CH₃)₂C(OH)CH₂OCH₃; the parent is propan-2-ol with a 2-methyl and a 1-methoxy substituent, giving 1-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-ol — option (A).

The central carbon bears two $CH_3$ groups, an $OH$ , and a $-CH_2-OCH_3$ group, so the molecule is

$(CH_3)_2C(OH)-CH_2-OCH_3.$

Naming:

The longest carbon chain containing the –OH is three carbons (propane): $C1 = CH_2(OCH_3)$ , $C2 = C(OH)(CH_3)$ , $C3 = CH_3$ . …
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CBSE 2025Set 56/5/11 markMCQ
$CH_3 - CH_2 - N(CH_3) - CH_2 - CH_2 - CH_3$
›Reveal solutionSolution
The compound is a secondary amine with an ethyl and a methyl group on the nitrogen, and a three-carbon chain as the parent. The correct IUPAC name is N-ethyl-N-methylpropan-1-amine, which corresponds to option (B).

The key to naming amines under IUPAC rules is to identify the longest continuous carbon chain attached to the nitrogen — that becomes the parent alkane name, with the suffix "-amine". The other groups on the nitrogen are treated as substituents, prefixed with "N-" to show they are attached to the nitrogen atom, not to the carbon chain.

Let's break this down step by step.

Draw the structure from the given condensed formula.

The formula is $CH_3 - CH_2 - N(CH_3) - CH_2 - CH_2 - CH_3$ .

The nitrogen has three bonds: one to an ethyl group ( $-CH_2CH_3$ ), one to a methyl group ( $-CH_3$ ), and one to a propyl group ( $-CH_2CH_2CH_3$ ). So the molecule is:

CH3 | CH3-CH2-N-CH2-CH2-CH3

The nitrogen is connected to three different alkyl groups: ethyl, methyl, and propyl.

Identify the parent chain.

The IUPAC rule for amines: the parent chain is the longest continuous carbon chain attached directly to the nitrogen. Here, the chain on the right is $CH_2-CH_2-CH_3$ — that's three carbons, a propyl group. The chain on the left is $CH_2-CH_3$ — two carbons, an ethyl group. The methyl group ( $CH_3$ ) is just one carbon.

So the longest chain is the three-carbon chain (propyl). The parent name becomes propan-1-amine (since the nitrogen is at the end of the chain, carbon 1).

Name the substituents on the nitrogen.

The other two groups attached to the nitrogen are an ethyl group ( $-CH_2CH_3$ ) and a methyl group ( $-CH_3$ ). Since they are on the nitrogen, not on the carbon chain, they are prefixed with "N-".

Alphabetically, ethyl comes before methyl. So we write N-ethyl-N-methyl.

Combine the parts.

The full name is: N-ethyl-N-methylpropan-1-amine. …
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CBSE 2025Set X11 markMCQ
$\text{H}_3\text{C}-\underset{\underset{\text{Br}}{|}}{\text{CH}}-\text{CH}_2-\underset{\overset{\text{O}}{||}}{\text{C}}-\text{H}$
(a) 3–bromobutyraldehyde
(b) 2–bromopropanaldehyde
(c) 3–bromobutanal
(d) 2–bromobutanal
›Reveal solutionSolution
The compound is $\text{CH}_3\text{-CH(Br)-CH}_2\text{-CHO}$ , a 4-carbon aldehyde with bromine on C-3 → 3-bromobutanal.

The structure is $\text{H}_3\text{C-CH(Br)-CH}_2\text{-CHO}$ .

The principal functional group is the aldehyde (–CHO), so it gets the lowest locant. Numbering starts at the carbonyl carbon: C1 = CHO, C2 = $\text{CH}_2$ , C3 = CH(Br), C4 = $\text{CH}_3$ .

Longest chain = 4 carbons → butanal. …
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CBSE 2025Set D1 markMCQ
$Q. The IUPAC name of CH3COOC2H5 is$
(a) Methyl propanoate
(b) Ethyl ethanoate
(c) Acetoethane
(d) Ethoxyethane
›Reveal solutionSolution
CH3COOC2H5 = ethyl ethanoate (common name ethyl acetate).

The compound is an ester derived from ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) and ethanol (C2H5OH). An ester R-COO-R' is named as 'alkyl alkanoate':

The alkyl group from the alcohol part (C2H5) -> ethyl …
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←Previous questionQ34 — How can propan-2-one be converted into tert-butyl alcohol?→Next questionQ36 — Explain why is the OH group in phenols more strongly held as compared …

Q.Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula $C_4H_{10}O$ . Which one of these exhibits optical activity?

Concept understanding — IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC Nomenclature (Organic Compounds)

The Recipe

Worked Example

Why this formula?

IUPAC Nomenclature: Why the Rules Work the Way They Do

1. The Core Principle: The Longest Carbon Chain

2. Numbering: Lowest Locants (The "First Point of Difference" Rule)

3. Alphabetical Order of Substituents

4. Multiple Bonds: The "Lowest Locant" Rule for Alkenes/Alkynes

5. The "Suffix" and "Prefix" System …

Method: Systematic Isomer Enumeration + Optical Activity Check

Step 1 – Identify the functional group and degree of unsaturation

Step 2 – Draw all carbon skeletons for 4 carbons

Step 3 – Place the $-OH$ group on distinct carbons

Step 4 – Check for optical activity

Step 1: Understand the formula

Step 2: Draw all alcohol isomers

1. Butan-1-ol (primary alcohol)

2. Butan-2-ol (secondary alcohol)

3. 2-Methylpropan-1-ol (primary alcohol)

4. 2-Methylpropan-2-ol (tertiary alcohol)

Step 3: Which one exhibits optical activity?

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Q.Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula C4H10OC_4H_{10}OC4​H10​O. Which one of these exhibits optical activity?

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Q.Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula $C_4H_{10}O$ . Which one of these exhibits optical activity?

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