Question

What is a 1° alcohol?

Answer 1

A `1^o` or primary alcohol refers to the alcohol functional group (-OH) of a molecule being bonded to a carbon atom which is bonded to only one other carbon atom.

Explanation:

Examples:

ethanol

pentanol

A `2^o` or secondary alcohol refers to the alcohol functional group of a molecule being bonded to a carbon atom which is bonded to exactly two other carbon atoms.

A `3^o` or tertiary alcohol refers to the alcohol functional group of a molecule being bonded to a carbon atom which is bonded to exactly three other carbon atoms.