What is the difference in isbutyl and sec butyl? How , please explain.

1 Answer
Dec 21, 2017

Sec butyl relates to functionality on the 2nd carbon atom in the chain. Isobutyl relates to the "isobutane" isomer.

Explanation:

If you take C4 alcohols as an example,

This is butane #CH_3-CH_2-CH_2-CH_3#

Substitute a hydrogen on the 1st carbon with hydroxy group, and you have primary alcohol, 1-butanol, or n-butanol.

#HO-CH_2-CH_2-CH_2-CH_3#

If, however, you substitute a hydrogen on the 2nd carbon with hydroxy group, you have a secondary alcohol, 2-butanol, or "sec-butanol" or "sec-butyl alcohol".

#CH_3-CH(OH)-CH_2-CH_3#

The primary alcohol formed by substituting a hydrogen on the 1st carbon of the isomer of butane, called 2-methyl propane, or "isobutane" would be "isobutanol" or "isobutyl alcohol".

#HO-CH_2-CH(CH_3)-CH_3#