Question

Total number of alcohols possible with the formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ are:
A. $1$
B. $2$
C. $3$
D. $4$

Answer 1

In the above question basically the structural isomers have been asked which only have alcohol groups present in it. One can think about the possibility and draw the possible structures having an alcohol functional group but without changing the molecular formula.

Complete step by step answer:
-The number of alcohols from the formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ has been asked which shows the structural isomers have been asked which only have an alcohol functional group.
-Now let's see what structural isomers mean where the compounds have the same molecular formula i.e. has the same number of atoms of each element but different structural formula. In the above question, we need to find out the structural isomers which have an alcohol functional group.
-Now let's see the possible alcoholic structures with formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ as follows,
$C{H_3} - C{H_2} - C{H_2} - OH$ and $C{H_3} - CH(OH) - C{H_3}$
There are no other alcoholic structures with the formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ that is possible. Therefore, after analyzing all the structures we have come to the conclusion where there are only two alcoholic structures with formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ are possible which shows option B as a correct choice of answer.

Additional Information: The structural isomers can be differentiated into several types such as skeletal isomers, positional isomers, and functional isomers. The skeletal isomer of a compound can be defined as a type of structural isomer that is different from it in the atoms and bonds in the skeleton of the molecule. The position isomers can be defined as a type of structural isomers that can different only on the position of a functional group or substituent on a basic structure of a molecule. The functional isomers can be defined as a type of structural isomers which have different functional groups which show different chemical and physical properties.

Note: The above alcoholic structures with formula ${C_3}{H_8}O$ show the position isomerism which is a type of structural isomerism where the position of an alcoholic functional group changes. The first structure shows alcohol attached to the first carbon which shows $1 - propanol$ and in the second structure alcoholic functional group is attached to the second carbon which shows $2 - propanol$ as its name.