Final answer:
Acetone has a carbonyl group as part of its ketone structure, while 2-propanol has a hydroxyl group, making it an alcohol. These functional group differences lead to varied uses in industry, with acetone being a solvent and 2-propanol used for sanitizing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked to explain the structure difference between acetone and 2-propanol. Acetone, which is also known as propanone or propan-1-one, has the molecular formula C3H6O. Its structure consists of two methyl groups (CH3) linked to a carbonyl group (C=O). This makes it the simplest ketone. On the other hand, 2-propanol, which can also be referred to as isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol, has the molecular formula C3H8O. Its structure has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the second carbon of a propane chain, thus classified as a secondary alcohol.
The main structure difference between acetone and 2-propanol is the functional group; acetone contains a carbonyl group while 2-propanol contains a hydroxyl group. These structural differences result in acetone being a good solvent with applications in industries like paints and nail polish remover, whereas 2-propanol is an alcohol used in antiseptics and cleaning agents.