The total number of secondary alcohols corresponding to the formula C₆H₁₄O,ignoring stereoisomers,is: A)2 B)4 C)6 D)8 E)10

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of the suffix –ol indicates that the compound is an alcohol. Secondary alcohols have the –OH group attached to a secondary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom that is bonded to two other carbon atoms). In the given formula, there are multiple carbon atoms that meet this criteria, and can potentially form secondary alcohols. 
The carbon atoms that could form secondary alcohols are:
- The carbon atom in position 4
- The carbon atom in position 7
- The carbon atom in position 9
- The carbon atom in position 12
- The carbon atom in position 15
- The carbon atom in position 18

Therefore, there are 6 potential secondary alcohols in the given formula.

The Total Number of Secondary Alcohols Corresponding to the Formula