How many primary alcohols are possible given a formula of #C_5H_11OH#?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 29, 2017

Well, I can count at least 4 such primary alcohols.........

Explanation:

And these are............:

#"1-pentanol; H"_3"CCH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH"#

#"2-methyl-butanol; H"_3"CCH"_2"CH(CH"_3")CH"_2"OH."#

#"3-methyl-butanol; H"_3"CCH(CH"_3")CH"_2"CH"_2"OH."#

#"neopentyl alcohol; (H"_3"C)"_3"CCH"_2"OH"#

And I just found this illustration, which I hope is right..........

photogram.pw

And this gives the four isomeric primary alcohols as required. Of course, #"2-methyl-butanol"#, and #"3-methyl-butanol"# can each exist as stereoisomers.

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