What are kinds of alcohols?

1. By the number of carbon atoms directly attached to the hydroxyl (-OH) group:

* Primary alcohol: The carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group is also attached to only one other carbon atom.

* Example: Methanol (CH3OH), Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)

* Secondary alcohol: The carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group is attached to two other carbon atoms.

* Example: Isopropanol (CH3CH(OH)CH3)

* Tertiary alcohol: The carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group is attached to three other carbon atoms.

* Example: tert-Butanol (CH3C(OH)(CH3)2)

2. By the number of hydroxyl groups in the molecule:

* Monohydric alcohol: Contains one hydroxyl group per molecule.

* Examples: Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropanol

* Dihydric alcohol (or glycol): Contains two hydroxyl groups per molecule.

* Example: Ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH)

* Trihydric alcohol (or glycerol): Contains three hydroxyl groups per molecule.

* Example: Glycerol (HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OH)

* Polyhydric alcohol: Contains more than three hydroxyl groups per molecule.

* Example: Sorbitol (C6H14O6)

Here's a table summarizing the different types of alcohols based on these classifications:

| Type | Structure | Examples |

|---------------|---------------------------------|------------------------|

| Primary | R-CH2-OH | Methanol, Ethanol |

| Secondary | R-CH(OH)-R' | Isopropanol |

| Tertiary | R-C(OH)(R')-R'' | tert-Butanol |

| Monohydric| R-OH | Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropanol |

| Dihydric | R-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R' | Ethylene glycol |

| Trihydric | R-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R' | Glycerol |

| Polyhydric| Contains more than three -OH | Sorbitol, Inositol |

This classification helps understand the different properties and uses of alcohols.