RR'CHOH and RCH2OH are which types of alcohols?

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Multiple Choice

RR'CHOH and RCH2OH are which types of alcohols?

The degree of an alcohol is determined by how many carbon substituents attach to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. If that carbon is connected to two carbon groups (plus a hydrogen), the alcohol is secondary. If it’s connected to one carbon group (plus two hydrogens), it’s primary. If it’s connected to three carbon groups (and no hydrogens), it’s tertiary. In RR'CHOH, the carbon with the OH is bonded to two carbon groups (R and R') and a hydrogen, so it’s a secondary alcohol. In RCH2OH, the carbon with the OH is bonded to only one carbon group (R) and two hydrogens, so it’s a primary alcohol. Therefore, the pair are a secondary and a primary alcohol.

The degree of an alcohol is determined by how many carbon substituents attach to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. If that carbon is connected to two carbon groups (plus a hydrogen), the alcohol is secondary. If it’s connected to one carbon group (plus two hydrogens), it’s primary. If it’s connected to three carbon groups (and no hydrogens), it’s tertiary.

In RR'CHOH, the carbon with the OH is bonded to two carbon groups (R and R') and a hydrogen, so it’s a secondary alcohol. In RCH2OH, the carbon with the OH is bonded to only one carbon group (R) and two hydrogens, so it’s a primary alcohol. Therefore, the pair are a secondary and a primary alcohol.

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