The+General+Structure

Alcohols are generally formed as a carbon chain with either a single or multiple hydroxide attachments.

Ethanol photo from: http://cornellbiochem.wikispaces.com/Ethanol

Examining alcohols a bit more closely you will notice the structure of an alcohol is quite similar to that of water's. This is because they both have bond angles that reflect the effect of electron repulsion in order to strengthen the bond of the substituents attached to the oxygen.

Methanol Photo from: [|http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Organic_Chemistry/Alcohols/Properties_of_Alcohols#Structure_of_Alcohol]

The Three Classes of Alcohols:

Primary:

A primary alcohol is where the carbon with the OH attachment has __one__ alkyl group. Photo from:[] Note: Methanol is an exception because the carbon containing the OH has no alkyl attached. Secondary:

A secondary alcohol is where the carbon with the OH attachment has two alkyl groups. Photo from:[]

Tertiary:

A tertiary alcohol is where the carbon with the OH attachment has three alkyl groups Photo from:[]

Some Common Formula Examples:

Fun Fact: Hydrogen bonding raises the boiling point of alcohols because of the unified strength of several hydrogen bonds forming.