Primary alcohol

A primary alcohol is an alcohol in which the hydroxy group is bonded to a primary carbon atom. It can also be defined as a molecule containing a “–CH₂OH” group.^[1] In contrast, a secondary alcohol has a formula “–CHROH” and a tertiary alcohol has a formula “–CR₂OH”, where “R” indicates a carbon-containing group.

Examples of primary alcohols include ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol.

Methanol is also generally regarded as a primary alcohol,^[2]^[3] including by the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica.^[4]

References

^ "Definition: primary alcohol from Online Medical Dictionary". Retrieved 2007-11-22.
^ "Introducing Alcohols". Jim Clark (2015). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
^ Albert S. Tarendash (2001). Let's review: chemistry, the physical setting. Boston, Mass: Barron's. p. 161. ISBN 0-7641-1664-9.
^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Alcohols" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 527.

[1] "Definition: primary alcohol from Online Medical Dictionary". Retrieved 2007-11-22.

[titlean_introduction_to_alcohols-2] "Introducing Alcohols". Jim Clark (2015). Retrieved 2023-09-29.

[isbn0-7641-1664-9-3] Albert S. Tarendash (2001). Let's review: chemistry, the physical setting. Boston, Mass: Barron's. p. 161. ISBN 0-7641-1664-9.

[EB1911-4] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Alcohols" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 527.

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See also

References