What is alcohol? Write its types on the basis of the hydroxyl group. Also, write their examples along with their molecular formula and the structural formula.
Arpit Sundas
·
1 year ago
Solution
Alcohol is defined as an organic compound containing hydroxyl group(-OH) attached to a saturated carbon atom or hydrocarbon radical.
On the basis of number of hydroxyl group(-OH) in the molecule of alcohol, it is classified into three types as given below:
1. Monohydric alcohol: The alcohol having only one (-OH) group in the molecule is called monohydric alcohol. Its general formula is ( \(\rm C_{n}H_{2n+1}OH\) ).
Example; methyl alcohol( \(\rm CH_{3}OH\) ). Its structural formula is:
2.Dihydric alcohol: The alcohol having two hydroxyl groups(-OH) in one compound is called dihydric alcohol. Its general formula is ( \(\rm C_{n}H_{2n}(OH)_{2}\) ).
Example; ethylene glycol ( \(\rm C_{2}H_{4}(OH)_{2}\). Its structural formula is:
3. Trihydric alcohol: The alcohol having three hydroxyl groups (-OH) in one compound is called trihydric alcohol. Its general formula is ( \(\rm C_{n}H_{2n-1}(OH)_{3}\) ).
Example; glycerol ( \(\rm C_{3}H_{5}(OH)_{3}\). Its structural formula is:
