Among the purely saturated, acyclic structural alcohol isomers with the molecular formula , the spec — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
Among the purely saturated, acyclic structural alcohol isomers with the molecular formula $C_4H_{10}O$, the specific isomer exhibiting the lowest boiling point is highly branched. Exactly how many carbon atoms constitute the principal/longest parent carbon chain of this lowest-boiling isomer?
Answer: 3
💡 Solution & Explanation
The alcohol isomers of $C_4H_{10}O$ are butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, and 2-methylpropan-2-ol (tert-butyl alcohol). Boiling point decreases as branching increases due to a reduction in surface area and van der Waals forces. The most branched isomer is 2-methylpropan-2-ol. Its longest parent carbon chain (propane) contains 3 carbon atoms.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes