Classification, Structure & Physical Properties of Alcohols

Classification: Primary ($$1^\circ$$), Secondary ($$2^\circ$$), Tertiary ($$3^\circ$$), Allylic, Benzylic, and Vinylic alcohols.

Physical Properties:

• Boiling Point: Exceptionally high compared to alkanes, haloalkanes, and ethers of comparable molar mass due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding:
• BP Order: $$ \text{Primary } (1^\circ) > \text{Secondary } (2^\circ) > \text{Tertiary } (3^\circ) \quad (\text{for isomeric alcohols due to branching})$$
• Solubility in Water: Lower mass alcohols are highly soluble in water due to H-bonding; solubility decreases as the hydrophobic alkyl chain length increases.