Answer: Tertiary alcohol.
- A Primary alcohol
- B Secondary alcohol
- C Tertiary alcohol
- D Methanol
Correct answer: C. Tertiary alcohol
Explanation: Tertiary alcohols lack alpha hydrogen atoms needed for oxidation.
The phenoxide ion's negative charge spreads into the aromatic ring through resonance, lowering its energy and making phenol give up its proton more easily; an alkoxide ion (from a plain alcohol) has nowhere to delocalise the charge, making alcohols far less acidic.
Concept context
Oxygen-containing organic compounds. Understand the acidic nature of phenols, reactions of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, esterification), and properties of ethers. Includes industrial applications and named reactions.