Alcohols

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Write the structural formulae for the linear alcohols that are derived from butane.

CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ (butane)
 
There are just two isomers of C₄H₉OH if the carbon chain is unbranched.
 
CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH butan-1-ol (primary)
CH₃CH₂CH(OH)CH₃ butan-2-ol (secondary)
 
May I suggest that you write these out for yourself, and also construct the displayed formula for each and try to work out for yourself how these different arrangements are the isomers of C₄H₁₀O (i.e. alcohols based on butane). I hope also that you understand the significance of “primary”, “secondary” and “tertiary” in the context of alcohols. The chapter in your chemistry textbook on alcohols will set this out very clearly.
 
Igloo

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updated: 26 April 2005