Question

Identify the following organic compound as an alkane, alkene, alkyne, aromatic hydrocarbon, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, ester, or amine, and provide a name for the compound.

CH
3
CH
2
OH
CH
3
CH
2
OH
a) Alkane
b) Alkene
c) Alcohol
d) Carboxylic acid

Answer 1

CH3CH2OH is an alcohol, specifically ethanol, characterized by its hydroxyl group attached to an ethane backbone.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organic compound CH3CH2OH can be identified as an alcohol. This compound is neither an alkane, alkene, nor a carboxylic acid. Alcohols are characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a saturated carbon atom. In the case of CH3CH2OH, which is ethyl alcohol, the hydroxyl group is attached to an ethane backbone. The correct name for this compound is ethanol, which is a common alcohol with the formula C2H5OH.