RCH2OH represents which class of alcohol?

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Multiple Choice

RCH2OH represents which class of alcohol?

Alcohols are classified by how many carbon groups are attached to the carbon that bears the hydroxyl group. In RCH2OH, the carbon with the OH is a CH2 group, bonded to one carbon-containing R group and to two hydrogens. That means there is only one carbon attached to the carbon bearing the OH, which makes it a primary alcohol. If the OH-bearing carbon were attached to two carbons, it would be secondary; attached to three carbons would be tertiary. A quaternary carbon cannot bear an OH group because it lacks hydrogens. So RCH2OH is a primary alcohol.

Alcohols are classified by how many carbon groups are attached to the carbon that bears the hydroxyl group. In RCH2OH, the carbon with the OH is a CH2 group, bonded to one carbon-containing R group and to two hydrogens. That means there is only one carbon attached to the carbon bearing the OH, which makes it a primary alcohol. If the OH-bearing carbon were attached to two carbons, it would be secondary; attached to three carbons would be tertiary. A quaternary carbon cannot bear an OH group because it lacks hydrogens. So RCH2OH is a primary alcohol.

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