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ALCOHOLS &PHENOLS

Structure of Water and Methyl Alcohol

The structure of methanol resembles that of water, with an alkyl group replacing one of the hydrogen
atoms of water. The H-O-H angle in water is 104.5°. The C-O-H angle in methyl alcohol is 108.9°.

Types of Alcohols

o Alcohols are classified according to the type of carbon the hydroxyl group is attached.
o Alcohols in which the hydroxyl group is attached to a primary carbon are considered primary
alcohols.
o A secondary alcohol has the hydroxyl group attached to a secondary carbon.
o A tertiary alcohol is attached to a tertiary carbon.
o A hydroxyl group attached to a methyl group is known as methyl alcohol.