Chemistry: Organic Compounds

What is the name of the compound CH3 – CH2 – OH?

a) Ethanol

b) Ethane

c) Ethanone

d) Ethyl ether

Answer:

The correct answer is a) Ethanol.

Ethanol is the correct name for the compound CH3 – CH2 – OH. This molecule is known as an alcohol because of the -OH group at the end of the chain. The -OH group is the alcohol functional group, which is a characteristic feature of all alcohols. In the name Ethanol, the "-ol" ending also indicates that it is an alcohol.

Ethanol is commonly used as a solvent, fuel, and in alcoholic beverages. It has a wide range of applications in various industries and is an important organic compound in chemistry.