1) Explain why propan-1-ol has the number "1" in the name.

Question

-The number is there to show where the OH must go.

2) Say why ethanol does not have a number in its name.
-Something to do with the amount of carbons ??

Butan-1-ol has several isomers. Give the meaning of the term "isomer".

3) Draw two isomers of butan-1-ol.(what's the other)?
H H OH H
| | | |
H- C - C - C - C-H
| | | |
H H H H

Could someone please look over this, and help me?

Answer 1

1) Explain why propan-1-ol has the number "1" in the name.
-The number is there to show where the OH must go.good answer

2) Say why ethanol does not have a number in its name.
-Something to do with the amount of carbons ?? Actually, this question is supposed to make you think about the answer you gave to #1. #1 is numbered because of the system being used and the #1 tells us the OH (alcohol) group (called -ol in the system name) is on the #1 carbon. For ethanol, there "is no system" in that this is a trivial name, just like methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, etc.. Ethanol is a trivial name AND it has been around so long people KNOW where the OH group is.

Butan-1-ol has several isomers. Give the meaning of the term "isomer". An isomer of betan-1-ol will have the same empirical formula (C4H10O) but different structural formulas.

3) Draw two isomers of butan-1-ol.(what's the other)?
H H OH H
| | | |
H- C - C - C - C-H
| | | |
H H H H
Spacing is a problem on these boards. I'll try to draw the two.
CH3CH2CH2CH2OH is one.
CH3CH2CH(OH)CH3 is another.