Chapter 5, Problem 30P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Each oxygen in the compound zoapatanol is to be classified according to the functional group to which it belongs. If the oxygen is part of an alcohol, it is to be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Concept introduction:

Functional groups in which an oxygen is bonded only to a carbon or carbon and hydrogen are – alcohol $\text{ROH}$, ether $\text{ROR}$, aldehyde $\text{RC(O)H}$, ketone $\text{RC(O)R}$, carboxylic acid $\text{RCOOH}$, ester $\text{RCOOR}$.

Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary based on whether the hydroxyl group is bonded to a primary, secondary, or a tertiary carbon.