How to Name and Draw Alcohols – HSC Chemistry
This is part of the HSC Chemistry course under the topic Alcohols.
HSC Chemistry Syllabus
-
investigate the structural formulae, properties and functional group including: – primary – secondary – tertiary alcohols
-
explain the properties within and between the homologous series of alcohols with reference to the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding present – boiling and melting point – solubility in water – molar enthalpy of combustion
How to Name and Draw Alcohols Practice Questions
This video provides the opportunity for you to practise naming and drawing alcohols in organic chemistry.
Structure of Alcohols
Alcohols are classified as organic molecules which contains a –OH group attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom (carbon with only C–C and C–H bonds).
There are three types of alcohols (see below). ‘R’ is a generic representation of an alkyl (carbon) group. The three types of alcohols share similar properties due to the presence of the same functional group but also differ slightly in their physical as well as chemical properties because the nature of connectivity is different.
 |
 |
|
Methanol (primary alcohol) |
Alcohol Nomenclature
-
In IUPAC nomenclature, the alcohol functional group is assigned higher priority than alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.
-
Alcohol molecules have names ending with the suffix ‘-ol’.
-
Whenever necessary, identify the position of the alcohol group. The carbon chain should be numbered such that the alcohol group receives the lowest numerical position possible.