Final answer:
A secondary alcohol is an alcohol with two alkyl groups attached to the sp³ hybrid carbon atom that bears the hydroxyl group, such as 2-butanol.
Step-by-step explanation:
The alcohol in which two alkyl groups are directly attached to an sp³ hybrid carbon atom is known as a secondary alcohol. In organic chemistry, alcohols are classified based on the connectivity of the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl (OH) group. A primary alcohol has one alkyl group, a secondary (2°) alcohol has two alkyl groups, and a tertiary alcohol has three alkyl groups attached to the carbon with the hydroxyl group.
For example, the secondary alcohol 2-butanol has an OH group on the second carbon of butane, which is attached to two other carbon atoms. Using IUPAC nomenclature, 2-butanol can also be referred to as 2-hydroxybutane. The oxidation product of a secondary alcohol is typically a ketone.