From the following compounds which are benzylic alcohols?
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only
Alcohols and phenols are classified by the carbon to which the –OH group is attached:
Benzylic alcohol: –OH on an sp3 carbon that is directly bonded to a benzene ring (\( \ce{Ar-CH2OH} \), Ar–CHR–OH, \( \ce{Ar-CR2-OH} \)). It may be primary, secondary or tertiary.
Phenol: –OH directly on the ring carbon (sp2).
Allylic and vinylic alcohols are the corresponding cases next to or on a C=C bond.
(A) –\( \ce{CH(OH)CH3} \) on the ring — Correct. The OH carbon is sp3 and bonded to the ring: a secondary benzylic alcohol.
(B) –\( \ce{CH2OH} \) on the ring — Correct. This is benzyl alcohol, a primary benzylic alcohol.
(C) –OH directly on the ring — Incorrect. The OH is on an sp2 ring carbon, so this is a phenol (m-cresol).
(D) –\( \ce{CH2OH} \) on a ring that also carries \( \ce{CH3} \) — Correct. This is 3-methylbenzyl alcohol, a primary benzylic alcohol.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Benzylic Alcohols
