What is the formula of 2 methyl 2 hydroxypropane?

The chemical formula of 2 methyl 2 hydroxypropane is C4H10O.

Understanding 2-Methyl-2-hydroxypropane

2-Methyl-2-hydroxypropane, commonly known as tert-butyl alcohol or by its IUPAC name 2-methylpropan-2-ol, is a fundamental compound in organic chemistry. It is classified as a tertiary alcohol, meaning the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl (-OH) group is also bonded to three other carbon atoms.

Nomenclature Breakdown:
- The "propane" stem indicates a main chain of three carbon atoms.
- "2-hydroxy" specifies that a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group is attached to the second carbon atom of this chain.
- "2-methyl" denotes that a methyl (-CH3) group is also attached to the second carbon atom.
Structural Representation:
The structure can be visualized as a central carbon atom (the second carbon of the propane chain) bonded to three methyl groups (one from the propane chain, one from the methyl substituent, and the last implicitly completing the carbon's valency if the chain extends) and one hydroxyl group. This arrangement leads to a symmetrical molecule.
```
      CH3
      |
CH3 - C - OH
      |
      CH3
```
Counting the atoms in this structure confirms its molecular formula: 4 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms (3 from each of the three methyl groups plus 1 from the hydroxyl group), and 1 oxygen atom.

Key Characteristics of 2-Methyl-2-hydroxypropane (tert-Butyl Alcohol)

Molecular Formula: C4H10O
Molar Mass: Approximately 74.12 g/mol
Appearance: Typically a colorless solid at room temperature (melting point around 25 °C), transitioning to a clear liquid slightly above this temperature.
Odor: Possesses a distinct camphor-like odor.
Solubility: It is highly soluble in water due to its hydroxyl group forming hydrogen bonds and is miscible with most organic solvents.
Classification: As a tertiary alcohol, it exhibits specific chemical reactivity patterns compared to primary or secondary alcohols.

Uses and Applications

Tert-butyl alcohol is a versatile chemical used across various industrial sectors:

Solvent: It serves as a solvent for a range of substances, including paints, lacquers, and resins.
Denaturant: Commonly employed as a denaturant for ethanol, making it unsuitable for human consumption without altering its industrial utility.
Chemical Intermediate: It is a crucial precursor in the synthesis of other valuable chemicals, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), historically used as a gasoline additive, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, an initiator in polymerization.

Distinguishing from Related Compounds

While the question specifically asks about 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropane (C4H10O), it is important to understand that compounds with similar names can possess distinctly different chemical structures and properties. For example, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropane nitrile is a separate chemical entity. This compound features a nitrile (-CN) functional group in addition to the hydroxyl and methyl groups, and it inherently contains nitrogen. An isotopically labeled variant, 2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropane(~15~N)nitrile, has a molecular formula of C4H715NO, an average mass of 86.099, and a monoisotopic mass of 86.049799. Despite sharing the "2-hydroxy-2-methylpropane" prefix, the presence of the nitrile group fundamentally alters its composition and characteristics compared to the alcohol.