An ALCOHOL in which the $\mathrm{-OH}$ group is attached to a carbon bonded to ONE other alkyl group is classified as
Aprimary (1°)
Bsecondary (2°)
Ctertiary (3°)
Dquaternary (4°)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. primary (1°)
1. syllabus classifies alcohols by the substitution at the carbon bearing the $\mathrm{-OH}$ group.
2. PRIMARY (1°): the $\mathrm{C{-}OH}$ carbon is attached to ONE other carbon (one alkyl group). Example: ethanol $\mathrm{CH_3CH_2OH}$.
3. SECONDARY (2°): attached to TWO other carbons. Example: propan-2-ol $\mathrm{(CH_3)_2CHOH}$.
4. TERTIARY (3°): attached to THREE other carbons. Example: $\mathrm{(CH_3)_3COH}$ (tert-butanol).
5. There is no QUATERNARY (4°) alcohol — that would require 4 carbons attached, leaving no room for $\mathrm{-OH}$.
6. Other options describe higher substitution patterns not matching the stated single-alkyl case.
_Source: syllabus Chemistry Part 2, Ch 7 "Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers", §7.1.1 (Classification of alcohols), p. 1–2._
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