Question

Which structural feature will differ among an ester, an alcohol, and an aldehyde, regardless of which examples are being compared?

the functional group

the branching pattern of the carbon chain

the number of carbon atoms

Answer 1

Answer: the functional group

Step-by-step explanation:

Functional groups are specific group of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

1. Esters have functional group
`-O=C-OR`.

Example: methyl ethanoate with molecular formula
`CH_3COOCH_3`

2. Alcohols have functional group
`-OH`.

Example: Propanol with molecular formula
`CH_3CH_2CH_2OH`

3. Aledydes have functional group
`-O=CH`.

Example: propanal with molecular formula
`CH_3CH_2CHO`

Thus esters , alcohols and aldehydes may have same number of carbon atoms and similar branching pattern but different functional groups.

Answer 2

The functional group

Step-by-step explanation:

A functional group defines a hydrocarbon. an ester the functional group is an O- alkyl group while that one of an alcohol is -OH group. An aldehyde is a functional group on its own.