Chemistry Alcohols & Phenols MDCAT 2012
PMDC Verified Question 92 of 95
The following structure is of:

\(\text{R}-\text{CH}(\text{OH})-\text{R'}\)
A
Secondary alcohol
B
Tertiary alcohol
C
Primary alcohol
D
Carboxylic acid
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: Secondary alcohol
Concept:

The classification of an alcohol depends on the number of alkyl groups attached to the \(\alpha\)-carbon (the carbon bonded to the -OH group).

Formula:

$$ \text{R}-\text{CH}(\text{OH})-\text{R'} $$

Solution:

  • The given structure shows the alpha carbon attached to one hydrogen atom and two alkyl groups (R and R').


  • This strictly defines a secondary alcohol.


Why other options are incorrect:

Primary alcohols have one alkyl group. Tertiary alcohols have three. Carboxylic acids contain a \(-\text{COOH}\) group, which is structurally completely different.

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