Lesson eLearning

Which functional group is represented by the following structural formula: ?

easy MCQ 1 mark Class 11 · Chemistry · Organic Chemistry Some Basic Principles and Techniques
  1. Alkane
  2. Alcohol
  3. Ether
  4. Ether oxide
Answer
Ether

The correct answer is Ether — Recognize that this arrangement corresponds to an ether, not an alcohol because the oxygen is bonded to carbon on both sides and has no hydrogen attached to it.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Identify the central heteroatom in the molecule; it is an oxygen bonded to two carbon atoms.
  2. Check the attached groups: two alkyl chains (ethyl and methyl) are attached to the oxygen.
  3. Recognize that this arrangement corresponds to an ether, not an alcohol because the oxygen is bonded to carbon on both sides and has no hydrogen attached to it.
Common mistake: Confusing the ether with an alcohol because of the presence of an oxygen atom.

Concept tested: Functional group identification

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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