What are examples of primary alcohols?

1 Answer
MeneerNask
Jun 9, 2016

Primary alcohols have the functional group #-OH# at the end of their carbon-chain.

Explanation:

So the last group of the chain will always consist of one #C# that has at least two #H# atoms attached to it, plus the #OH# group.

General formula: #R-CH_2-OH# where #R# is the rest of the molecule.

Examples:
#H-CH_2-OH# or #CH_3OH# for short: methanol
#CH_3-CH_2-OH# or #C_2H_5OH# ethanol
#CH_3-CH_2-CH_2-OH# or #C_3H_7OH# 1-propanol
Etc.

Primary alcohols can be oxidized relatively easiliy, first to an aldehyde, then to a carboxy acid:

#CH_3-OH->CH_2O->HCOOH#
(methanol->methanal->methanoic acid) or:
(wood alcohol->formaldehyde->formic acid)

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