Scottish Highers Chemistry Oxidising and Reducing Agents: Which structural formula represe

Question 21

Which-structural-formula-represents-a-primary-alcohol?--A-H---H---H---H----|---|---|---|-H--C---C---C---C--H----|---|---|---|-H---H---OH--H--B-H---H---H---H----|---|---|---|-H--C---C---C---C--H----|---|---|---|-H---H---H---OH--C-H---H---H---H----|---|---|---|-H--C---C---C---C--H----|---|---|---|-OH--H---H---H--D-H---H---H---H----|---|---|---|-H--C---C---C---C--OH----|---|---|---|-H---CH3--H--H-Scottish Highers Chemistry-Question 21-2023.png

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which structural formula represents a primary alcohol? A H H H H | | | | H--C---C---C---C--H | | | | H H OH H B H H H H | | | | H--C---C---C---C--H | | | | H H H OH C H H H H | | | | H--C---C---C---C--H | | | | OH H H H D H H H H | | | | H--C---C---C---C--OH | | | | H CH3 H H - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 21 - 2023

Step 1

Which structural formula represents a primary alcohol?

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Answer

To determine which structural formula represents a primary alcohol, we need to identify the structure that has the hydroxyl group (-OH) on a carbon atom that is only attached to one other carbon (meaning it is a terminal carbon or at the end of the carbon chain).

Looking at the options:

Option A has the -OH group on a carbon that is attached to two other carbons, which does not qualify as primary.
Option B has the -OH group also on a carbon attached to two other carbons, thus not qualifying as primary.
Option C has the hydroxyl group on a carbon bonded to three hydrogens and does not meet the primary alcohol criteria since it is attached to another carbon.
Option D positions the hydroxyl group (-OH) on a terminal carbon that is bonded to only one other carbon (the last carbon in the chain), making it a primary alcohol.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

Which structural formula represents a primary alcohol?

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