Concept:Glycerol is a trihydric alcohol, so it contains three hydroxyl (
−OH) groups attached to a three-carbon chain.
Explanation:The structural formula of glycerol is:
CH2​OH−CHOH−CH2​OHA primary alcoholic group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to only one other carbon atom.
A secondary alcoholic group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms.
Now examine each carbon atom bearing an
−OH group.
The two end carbon atoms belong to
CH2​OH groups.
Each end carbon is attached to only one other carbon atom.
Hence, both end groups are primary alcoholic groups.
The middle carbon atom belongs to the
CHOH group.
This carbon is attached to two other carbon atoms.
Hence, the middle group is a secondary alcoholic group.
Therefore, glycerol contains two primary and one secondary alcoholic groups.
Answer:Option B: Two primary and one secondary alcoholic groups.