Question

Butan-2-ol is a

• A. Primary alcohol
• B. Secondary alcohol
• C. Tertiary alcohol
• D. Dihydric alcohol

Hint:

In organic chemistry, alcohols are classified based on the carbon to which the hydroxyl group is attached: primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the structure of Butan-2-ol.
Butan-2-ol has the structure \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH(OH)}\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \), with the hydroxyl group attached to the second carbon of the butane chain. Since the hydroxyl group is attached to a secondary carbon (a carbon that is bonded to two other carbons), it is classified as a secondary alcohol. Step 2: Analysis of options.
(A) Primary alcohol: This is incorrect because the hydroxyl group is attached to a secondary carbon, not a primary carbon.
(B) Secondary alcohol: Correct — The hydroxyl group is attached to a secondary carbon, making this a secondary alcohol.
(C) Tertiary alcohol: This is incorrect because the hydroxyl group is not attached to a tertiary carbon.
(D) Dihydric alcohol: This is incorrect because Butan-2-ol is a monohydric alcohol, containing only one hydroxyl group.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) because Butan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol, with the hydroxyl group attached to a secondary carbon.