Question

What are examples of primary alcohols?

Answer 1

Primary alcohols have the functional group `-OH` at the end of their carbon-chain.

Explanation:

So the last group of the chain will always consist of one `C` that has at least two `H` atoms attached to it, plus the `OH` group.

General formula: `R-CH_2-OH` where `R` is the rest of the molecule.

Examples:
`H-CH_2-OH` or `CH_3OH` for short: methanol
`CH_3-CH_2-OH` or `C_2H_5OH` ethanol
`CH_3-CH_2-CH_2-OH` or `C_3H_7OH` 1-propanol
Etc.

Primary alcohols can be oxidized relatively easiliy, first to an aldehyde, then to a carboxy acid:

`CH_3-OH->CH_2O->HCOOH`
(methanol->methanal->methanoic acid) or:
(wood alcohol->formaldehyde->formic acid)