Alcohols A, B, and C all have the composition C4H10O. Molecules of alcohol A contain a branched carbon chain and can be oxidized to an aldehyde; molecules of alcohol B contain a linear carbon chain and can be oxidized to a ketone; and molecules of alcohol C can be oxidized to neither an aldehyde nor a ketone. Write the Lewis structures of these molecules.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Let’s break down each alcohol based on the provided clues:
Alcohol A:
- Alcohol A has a branched carbon chain, and it can be oxidized to an aldehyde. This suggests that alcohol A is a secondary alcohol where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a carbon that is connected to two other carbon atoms.
- The structure of alcohol A would be 2-methylpropan-2-ol. In this case, the central carbon is attached to two methyl groups (-CH3) and one -OH group. When oxidized, it forms acetaldehyde (ethanal), an aldehyde.
Alcohol B:
- Alcohol B has a linear carbon chain and can be oxidized to a ketone. This suggests that alcohol B is a secondary alcohol with a linear structure. It will likely be butan-2-ol.
- The central carbon in butan-2-ol is attached to a hydroxyl group (-OH) and two other carbons. When oxidized, it forms butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), a ketone.
Alcohol C:
- Alcohol C cannot be oxidized to an aldehyde or a ketone. This suggests that it is a primary alcohol with a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom at the end of the chain. The oxidation of primary alcohols usually results in the formation of aldehydes or carboxylic acids, so alcohol C must be 1-butanol.
- In this case, the alcohol group is on the terminal carbon, and oxidation would lead to the formation of butanal (an aldehyde), but this alcohol is stated to not be oxidized, meaning it remains in its alcohol form.
Structures and Explanation:
- Alcohol A (2-methylpropan-2-ol):
- Branched chain with a central -OH group attached to a secondary carbon.
- Alcohol B (butan-2-ol):
- Linear chain with a central -OH group attached to a secondary carbon.
- Alcohol C (1-butanol):
- Linear chain with a primary -OH group at the end.
Now, I’ll generate an image with the Lewis structures for each of these alcohols.
Here are the Lewis structures for the three alcohols:
- 2-methylpropan-2-ol (Alcohol A): This structure shows a branched chain with the hydroxyl group attached to a secondary carbon.
- Butan-2-ol (Alcohol B): This structure is a linear chain with the hydroxyl group attached to a secondary carbon.
- 1-butanol (Alcohol C): This structure is a linear chain with the hydroxyl group attached to a primary carbon at the end of the chain.
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