How do we classify alcohols and ethers?

Question

Isabella Acosta · Accepted Answer

#"Rationalize the inclusion of alcohols, ethers"#
#"....to WHAT CATEGORY"#.

Saturated alcohols, and ethers have the same empirical formula, i.e. #C_nH_(2n+2)O#; of course, their skeletal formulae are different; #ROR'# versus #C_nH_(2n+1)OH#.

On the other hands, epoxides have one degree of saturation in the three-membered ring, and the strain imposed by the three-membered ring, usually results in a ring-opening reaction with a nucleophilic reagent to give an alcohol in which the carbon chain is extended by two....

HIX Tutor · Answer

undefined Great question! Here’s how we classify alcohols and ethers step by step:

### Alcohols:
1. **Identify the functional group**: Look for the -OH group. This is called a hydroxyl group.
2. **Check the carbon chain**: Count the number of carbon atoms in the longest chain.
3. **Classify by carbon groups**:
   - **Primary (1°)**: The -OH is on a carbon with one other carbon attached.
   - **Secondary (2°)**: The -OH is on a carbon with two other carbons.
   - **Tertiary (3°)**: The -OH is on a carbon with three other carbons.

### Ethers:
1. **Identify the functional group**: Look for the -O- group between two carbon chains.
2. **Count the carbons**: Look at the carbon chains attached to each side of the oxygen.
3. **Name the chains**: Use the names of the two carbon chains (alcohol names) and add "ether" at the end.

Now you can easily classify alcohols and ethers! Keep practicing!