Question

Which of the following compounds is correctly classified as a tertiary alcohol?

3-methyl-1-butanol
2-methyl-1-butanol
3-methyl-2-butanol
2-methyl-2-butanol

Answer 1

2-methyl-2-butanol is correctly classified as a tertiary alcohol because its hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon which is connected to three other carbon atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct classification of alcohols is based on the number of carbon atoms directly attached to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl (-OH) group. A tertiary alcohol has three carbon groups attached to the carbon with the -OH group. Comparing the options:

• 3-methyl-1-butanol has the OH group on the first carbon, making it a primary alcohol.
• 2-methyl-1-butanol also has the OH group on the first carbon, so it is also a primary alcohol.
• 3-methyl-2-butanol has the OH group on the second carbon, which is attached to two other carbon atoms, making it a secondary alcohol.
• 2-methyl-2-butanol has the OH group on a carbon atom attached to three other carbon atoms, so it is a tertiary alcohol.

Therefore, the compound 2-methyl-2-butanol is correctly classified as a tertiary alcohol.