Drawing and naming the alcohols
4 marks · NormalAnswer the following questions about the alcohol with the displayed formula:
State the IUPAC name for this alcohol.
Give its molecular formula.
Write its structural formula.
Explain why this alcohol is the simplest member of its homologous series.
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(a) methanol
(b) CH4O
(c) CH3OH
(d) — · must show Mentions it contains only one carbon atom and is the first member of the alcohol homologous series
Must show: Each formula correct; explanation links to number of carbons and homologous series
Common mistakes: Calling methanol ethanol; Leaving out hydrogen or oxygen in formula
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States 'methanol' as the name
B1 (b) · 1 mark · Gives molecular formula CH4O
B1 (c) · 1 mark · Gives structural formula CH3OH
B1 (d) · 1 mark · Explains that it is the simplest because it has only one carbon atom
Worked solution
a) The alcohol is methanol.
b) Its molecular formula is CH4O.
c) Its structural formula is CH3OH.
d) Methanol is the simplest alcohol because it has only one carbon atom and is the first member of the homologous series of alcohols.