The compound given below is not a
A. Vinylic alcohol.
B. Secondary alcohol.
C. Phenol.
D. Benzylic phenol.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, C and D only
Hydroxy compounds are classified by the carbon atom that carries the –OH group. An –OH on an sp3 carbon gives an alcohol, which is primary, secondary or tertiary by the number of carbons on that carbon, and benzylic when that carbon is next to an aromatic ring. An –OH on an sp2 carbon of a C=C bond gives a vinylic alcohol, and an –OH attached directly to the ring gives a phenol.
The given compound is 1-phenylethanol, \( \ce{C6H5-CH(OH)-CH3} \). Its –OH is on an sp3 carbon bonded to two carbons (a ring carbon and \( \ce{CH3} \)), so it is a secondary benzylic alcohol.
(A) Vinylic alcohol. — Not a vinylic alcohol. The carbon carrying –OH is sp3, not part of a C=C bond.
(B) Secondary alcohol. — A secondary alcohol. The carbinol carbon is attached to two other carbon atoms.
(C) Phenol. — Not a phenol. The –OH is not attached directly to the benzene ring.
(D) Benzylic phenol. — Not a benzylic phenol (it is a benzylic alcohol). It is not a phenol of any kind.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Benzylic Alcohols
