How many isomers of #C_5H_11OH# will be primary alcohols? Give their structures too.

1 Answer
Jan 16, 2018

There are four primary alcohols with formula #"C"_5"H"_11"OH"#.

Explanation:

Draw a five-carbon chain and add the #"OH"# group at all possible positions.

This gives pentan-1-ol.

Pentan-1-ol

Draw a four-carbon chain with a methyl group and add the OH group at all positions.

This gives 2-methylbutan-1-ol

2-methylbutan-1-ol

and 3-methylbutan-1-ol.

3-methylbutan-1-ol

Finally, draw a three-carbon chain with two methyl groups and add the OH group at all possible positions.

This gives 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol

2,2-dimethylpropan-1-ol