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Which of the following alkanols is tertiary?

Chemistry
WAEC 2025

Which of the following alkanols is tertiary?

  • A. 2-methylpentan-2-ol
  • B. 2-methylpentan-1-ol
  • C. pentan-3-ol
  • D. pentan-2-ol
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Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation

A tertiary alcohol (or alkanol) is one in which the hydroxyl (-OH) group is attached to a carbon atom that is directly bonded to three other carbon atoms. 

In the case of 2-methylpentan-2-ol:

The parent chain is pentane (5 carbons), the hydroxyl group is on carbon-2, a methyl branch is also on carbon-2.

  • Consequently, the second carbon atom is bonded to:
    1. Carbon-1 (from the main chain)
    2. Carbon-3 (from the main chain)
    3. The carbon of the methyl group. However, because this central carbon is bonded to three other carbons, it is a tertiary carbon, making the molecule a tertiary alcohol.

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