Primary alcohol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A primary alcohol is an alcohol which has the hydroxyl group connected 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 and butanol.
Some sources include methanol as a primary alcohol,[2][3] including the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica,[4] but this interpretation is less common in modern texts.
See also[edit]
- Alcohol (especially Nomenclature section for discussion on Secondary and Tertiary alcohols.)
- Oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids
References[edit]
- ^ "Definition: primary alcohol from Online Medical Dictionary". Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ "an introduction to alcohols". Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ Albert S. Tarendash (2001). Let's review: chemistry, the physical setting. Boston, Mass: Barron's. p. 161. ISBN 0-7641-1664-9.
- ^ "Alcohols - LoveToKnow 1911". Retrieved 2007-11-22.
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