• Alcohols?are a family of molecules that contain the?hydroxyl functional group,?-OH
• Their general formula is ?CnH2n+1OH
• The nomenclature of alcohols follows the pattern?alkan + ol
• If there are two?-OH?groups present the molecule is called a?diol

The first four Alcohols and their Structures Table

• Alcohols are classified as?primary, secondary?or?tertiary?depending on the number of carbons attached to the?functional group?carbon
  • Primary?alcohols?are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to?one?other carbon atom (or alkyl group)
  • Secondary?alcohols?are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to?two?other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)
  • Tertiary?alcohols?are alcohols in which the carbon atom bonded to the -OH group is attached to?three?other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)

Classifying primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols and alcohols with more than one alcohol group