How are alcohols classified?

Alcohols are classified primarily based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom that is bonded to the hydroxyl (–OH) group. This leads to three main classes of alcohols: primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°) alcohols.

In a primary alcohol, the carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group is connected to only one other carbon. In secondary alcohols, the carbon is bonded to two other carbons, and in tertiary alcohols, it is bonded to three. This classification is significant because it influences the alcohol's chemical reactivity and properties, including how it reacts with oxidizing agents and its behavior in various chemical reactions.

Understanding this classification helps to predict various characteristics and behaviors of different alcohols, such as their stability, acidity, and how they might interact in organic synthesis or biochemical pathways. Other methods of classification, such as by molecular weight, boiling point, or density, do not provide the same level of insight into the chemical behavior of alcohols, which is why classification by the number of alkyl groups is the most relevant.