Question

Common name of the given compound is:
 

A) neopentyl alcohol
B) isobutyl alcohol
C) tertiary butyl alcohol
D) secondary butyl alcohol

Answer 1

Hint: Recall the classification of the alcohols as primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols. When a $s{p^3}$ hybridised carbon attached to three carbons, it is known as tertiary carbon (${3^{\text{o}}}$) and the $ - OH$ group attached to a tertiary carbon atom is known as tertiary alcohol.

Complete step by step solution:
Alcohol is an organic compound with a functional group $ - OH$ also called a hydroxyl group. The classification of compounds makes their study systematic and hence simpler. Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.
Primary alcohol- A primary alcohol is the one in which the carbon atom with the $ - OH$ group is attached to one carbon atom. The general formula for primary alcohols is $RC{H_2}OH$.
Secondary alcohol: A secondary alcohol is the one in which the carbon atom with the $ - OH$ group is attached to two other carbon atoms. The general formula for secondary alcohols: ${R_2}CHOH$.
Tertiary alcohol: A tertiary alcohol is the one in which the carbon atom with the $ - OH$ group is attached to the other three carbon atoms. The general formula for tertiary alcohols: ${R_3}COH$.
Given compound is:

It is quite clear from the structure that the carbon atom with the $ - OH$ group is attached to three other carbon atoms. Therefore, it is a tertiary alcohol. According to the common naming system, the given structure will be named as tertiary butyl alcohol (since four carbon atoms are involved, it is called butyl alcohol).

Thus, option C is the correct answer.

Note: The common name of alcohol is derived from the common name of the alkyl group and adding the word alcohol to it. According to IUPAC, alcohols are named by substituting ‘e’ of the parent alkane name with the suffix ‘ol’. tertiary butyl alcohol is also written as tert-butyl alcohol and IUPAC name of tertiary butyl alcohol is 2-methyl-2-propanol.