Alcohols contain the hydroxy group (R- OH) and take the suffix "ol" with an infix numerical bonding position, for example:
- propan-2-ol CH₃CHOHCH₃
- butan-2-ol CH₃CHOHCH₂CH₃
- hexan-3-ol CH₃CH₂CHOHCH₂CH₂CH₃
- pentan-1-ol CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH

Step 2 Number the carbons so that the -OH group is on the lowest carbon.

Step 3 Treat the side branches as you would normally.

Step 4 Use suffixes -diol, -triol, -tetraol when multiple hydroxy groups are present and keep the "e". See examples below.
a) ethane-1,2-diol

b) butane-1,2,3-triol

c) propane-2,2-diol

c) ethylene glycol (CH₂OHCH₂OH) is used as an automotive antifreeze agent. It can also be called?

Consider the structure shown on the right.

Step 1) Identify the longest carbon chain (parent chain) and number the carbons

Step 2) Identify the substituent chains branching off the parent chain

Step 3) Write the name

The compound shown on the left represents a secondary alcohol. That is the carbon with the -OH group is bonded to two other carbons.

Solution

The compound shown on the left represents a tertiary alcohol. That is the carbon with the -OH group is bonded to three other carbons.

Solution