Structure and Classification of Alcohols

One way of organizing the alcohol family is to classify each alcohol according to the type of carbinol carbon atom the one bonded to the —OH group. If this carbon atom is primary (bonded to one other carbon atom), the compound is a primary alcohol. A secondary alcohol has the — OH group attached to a secondary carbon atom, and a 

Compounds with a hydroxyl group bonded directly to an aromatic (benzene) ring are called phenols. Phenols have many properties similar to those of alcohols, while other properties derive from their aromatic character. In this chapter, we consider the properties of phenols that are similar to those of alcohols and note some of the differences. In Chapter 16, we consider the aromatic nature of phenols and the reactions that result from that aromaticity. 

Classification of alcohols. Alcohols are classified according to the type of carbon atom (primary, secondary, or tertiary) bonded to the hydroxyl group. Phenols have a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom in a benzene ring. 

---

Structure and Classification of Alcohols 425 10-3 Nomenclature of Alcohols and Phenols 427 10-4 Physical Properties of Alcohols 430 10-5 Commercially Important Alcohols 433 10-6 Acidity of Alcohols and Phenols 435 10-7 Synthesis of Alcohols Introduction and Review 438 Summary Previous Alcohol Syntheses 438 10-8 Organometallic Reagents for Alcohol Synthesis 440 10-9 Addition of Organometallic Reagents to Carbonyl Compounds 443... 

---