Question

What is primary ,secondary and tertiary alcohols ?

Answer 1

Alcohols are those organic compounds which are characterized by the presence of one, two or more hydroxyl groups (−OH) that are attached to the carbon atom in an alkyl group or hydrocarbon chain.Alcohols are classified as primary alcohols secondary alcohol and tertiary alcohol, as accordingly where the carbon atom of an alkyl group is attached to the hydroxyl group.

Primary alcohol
Primary alcohols are those alcohols where the carbon atom of the hydroxyl group(OH) is attached to only one single alkyl group.
Eg : Methanol,ethanol,propanol

Secondary alcohol
Secondary alcohols are those where the carbon atom of the hydroxyl group is attached to two alkyl groups on the either sides. The two alkyl groups present may be either structurally identical or even different.

Tertiary alcohol
Tertiary alcohols are those which feature hydroxyl group attached to the carbon atom which is connected to 3- alkyl groups. The physical properties of these alcohols mainly depend on their structure.