Identifying alcohols by the -OH functional group

Steps:

• Recall that alcohols contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a carbon atom in a hydrocarbon chain.
• Examine each option's structure for the presence of -OH bonded to carbon (not oxygen or hydrogen alone).
• Eliminate compounds with other functional groups like carbonyl (C=O) or ether (C-O-C).
• Confirm the correct one matches the alcohol definition: R-OH, where R is alkyl or aryl.

Why B is correct:

• Option B has the -OH group directly attached to a carbon atom, fitting the general formula for alcohols (R-OH).

Why the others are wrong:

• A lacks -OH; it appears to be a hydrocarbon or alkane.
• C contains a carbonyl group (C=O), making it a ketone or aldehyde.
• D has an oxygen bridge (C-O-C), identifying it as an ether.

Final answer: B