234k views
4 votes
What is the chemical structure described as "first C bonded to H on top and 1 side with O on the other"?

a) Methanol
b) Ethanol
c) Propanol
d) Butanol

User AhmedRiyad
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The described chemical structure with "first C bonded to H on top and 1 side with O on the other" most closely matches methanol (CH3OH), which is the simplest alcohol structure with one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one hydroxyl group.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical structure described as "first C bonded to H on top and 1 side with O on the other" most likely refers to a simple alcohol. Given the choices provided and using the formal system of naming alcohols, where the name reflects the hydrocarbon chain with the correct number of carbon atoms and the suffix -ol, we can determine the correct alcohol.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, has the chemical formula CH3OH, indicating a single carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and a hydroxyl group (OH). This is the simplest alcohol structure.

Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, has the chemical formula CH3CH2OH, indicating a two-carbon chain with the hydroxyl group attached to one end. It is commonly found in alcoholic beverages.

Propanol can refer to either 1-propanol or 2-propanol, depending on the position of the hydroxyl group. 1-propanol has the hydroxyl group on the first carbon of a three-carbon chain, while 2-propanol has it on the second carbon.

Butanol could refer to any alcohol with a four-carbon chain and a hydroxyl group attached. The specific example provided, "first C bonded to H on top and 1 side with O on the other," does not match any of these precisely as described.

Therefore, the correct answer, based on the information provided and assuming that by "O on the other" it is meant that the OH group is bonded to the carbon, is a) Methanol.

User Mina Mikhael
by
8.0k points