Question

Which of the following are benzylic alcohols?

(i) \[\ce{C6H5 - CH2 - CH2OH}\]

(ii) \[\ce{C6H5 - CH2OH}\]

(iii) \[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{C6H5 - CH - OH}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{.}\\
\phantom{..}\ce{CH3}\phantom{}
\end{array}\]

(iv) \[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{C6H5 - CH2 - CH - OH}\\
\phantom{.......}|\phantom{}\\
\phantom{.........}\ce{CH3}\phantom{}
\end{array}\]

Answer 1

(ii) \[\ce{C6H5 - CH2OH}\]

(iii) \[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{C6H5 - CH - OH}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{.}\\
\phantom{..}\ce{CH3}\phantom{}
\end{array}\]

Explanation:

In these alcohols, the –OH group is attached to a sp³- hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring. For example,

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary 

Allylic and benezlic alcohols may be primary, secondary or tertiary.