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Intext Questions · 7.1

Q.Classify the following as primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols:

(i) CH3−C∣CH3∣CH3−CH2OH\mathrm{CH_3-\overset{\overset{\displaystyle CH_3}{|}}{\underset{\underset{\displaystyle CH_3}{|}}{C}}-CH_2OH}
(ii) H2C=CH−CH2OH\mathrm{H_2C=CH-CH_2OH}
(iii) CH3−CH2−CH2−OH\mathrm{CH_3-CH_2-CH_2-OH}
Intext 7.1 (iv): structure(s) drawn as printed in the NCERT textbook, with the labels OH, CH-CH3
Figure
Intext 7.1 (v): structure(s) drawn as printed in the NCERT textbook, with the labels CH2-CH-CH3, OH
Figure
Intext 7.1 (vi): structure(s) drawn as printed in the NCERT textbook, with the labels CH=CH-C-OH, CH3
Figure
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✓ Free question

The classification of an alcohol as primary, secondary, or tertiary depends solely on the number of carbon atoms directly bonded to the carbon that carries the –OH group. Counting those neighbours gives the answer for each compound.


The core idea

In IUPAC nomenclature, the class of an alcohol is determined by the degree of substitution of the hydroxyl-bearing carbon. That carbon is called the carbinol carbon.

  • If it is bonded to one carbon atom (and two hydrogens), the alcohol is primary (1°).
  • If it is bonded to two carbon atoms (and one hydrogen), it is secondary (2°).
  • If it is bonded to three carbon atoms (and no hydrogen), it is tertiary (3°).

The rest of the molecule — double bonds, rings, aromatic rings — does not change this rule. Only the immediate neighbours of the –OH carbon matter.

Watch out

A common mistake is to count the total number of carbons in the molecule or to look at the complexity of the alkyl group. Ignore everything except the three bonds directly attached to the –OH carbon.


Step-by-step classification

1. CH3−C(CH3)2−CH2OHCH_3-C(CH_3)_2-CH_2OH

Draw the structure around the –OH carbon. The –OH is attached to a CH2CH_2 group. That CH2CH_2 carbon is bonded to:

  • one carbon (the quaternary carbon C(CH3)2C(CH_3)_2)
  • two hydrogens

Only one carbon neighbour → primary alcohol.

2. H2C=CH−CH2OHH_2C=CH-CH_2OH

The –OH is on the CH2CH_2 group at the end of the chain. That carbon is bonded to:

  • one carbon (the CHCH of the double bond)
  • two hydrogens

Again, only one carbon neighbour → primary alcohol. The double bond does not affect the classification.

3. CH3−CH2−CH2−OHCH_3-CH_2-CH_2-OH

The –OH is on the terminal CH2CH_2 group. That carbon is bonded to:

  • one carbon (the middle CH2CH_2)
  • two hydrogens

One carbon neighbour → primary alcohol.

4. C6H5−CH(OH)−CH3C_6H_5-CH(OH)-CH_3

Here the –OH is on a CHCH group. That carbon is bonded to:

  • one carbon from the CH3CH_3 group
  • one carbon from the benzene ring (C6H5C_6H_5)
  • one hydrogen

Two carbon neighbours → secondary alcohol.

5. C6H5−CH2−CH(OH)−CH3C_6H_5-CH_2-CH(OH)-CH_3

The –OH is on the CHCH group in the middle. That carbon is bonded to:

  • one carbon from the CH2CH_2 group (which is attached to the benzene ring)
  • one carbon from the CH3CH_3 group
  • one hydrogen

Two carbon neighbours → secondary alcohol.

6. C6H5−CH=CH−C(CH3)2−OHC_6H_5-CH=CH-C(CH_3)_2-OH

The –OH is on a carbon that is part of a C(CH3)2C(CH_3)_2 group. That carbon is bonded to:

  • two CH3CH_3 groups (two carbons)
  • one carbon from the CH=CH−C6H5CH=CH-C_6H_5 chain

Three carbon neighbours → tertiary alcohol.

Tip

For compound (vi), the –OH carbon has no hydrogen attached — that is a dead giveaway for a tertiary alcohol. If you ever see a carbon with –OH and three other carbons around it, it is automatically 3°.


Final classification table

Compound–OH carbon neighboursClass
(i) CH3−C(CH3)2−CH2OHCH_3-C(CH_3)_2-CH_2OH1 carbonPrimary
(ii) H2C=CH−CH2OHH_2C=CH-CH_2OH1 carbonPrimary
(iii) CH3−CH2−CH2−OHCH_3-CH_2-CH_2-OH1 carbonPrimary
(iv) C6H5−CH(OH)−CH3C_6H_5-CH(OH)-CH_32 carbonsSecondary
(v) C6H5−CH2−CH(OH)−CH3C_6H_5-CH_2-CH(OH)-CH_32 carbonsSecondary
(vi) C6H5−CH=CH−C(CH3)2−OHC_6H_5-CH=CH-C(CH_3)_2-OH3 carbonsTertiary
✓Final answer

The classifications are: (i) primary,

(ii) primary,

(iii) primary,

(iv) secondary,

(v) secondary,

(vi) tertiary.

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