Structure of Simpler Organic Compounds. 73 



CH 3 - 

 CH 3 



\CH-CHOH 

 CH 3 



that is, it is a secondary alcohol with methyl and isopropyl 

 groups, and is, according to the nomenclature adopted, 

 methyl isopropyl carbinol. 



Again, if a magnesium halogen derivative is treated with 

 a ketone (see p. 70) it reacts according to the equation 



R\ R\ ,0-MgBr 



MgRBr-f >CO = >C< 



ff/ R'/ \R 



and the addition product on treatment with hydrochloric 

 acid decomposes 



R\ /OMgBr R\ /OH 



>C< + HCl = MgBrCl + 



R'/ \R R' 



In this way a tertiary alcohol is obtained. In the above 

 formula R, R', R" may be the same or different alkyl radicle. 



The above Grignard's reactions will be more readily 

 understood when the chemical characters of the aldehydes 

 and ketones have been more fully discussed (pp. 79 and 83). 

 It is important, however, to grasp the full significance of 

 the synthetic method in the early stages of the study of 

 organic chemistry. It has played, and will play, an 

 important part in all biological investigations which are 

 concerned with the chemical processes taking place in the 

 living organism. 



Many other synthetic methods for the preparation of 

 alcohols have been employed. Thus, reactions are known 

 by means of which it is possible to " lengthen the 

 chain " for example, to pass from the alcohol CH 3 OH 

 to the alcohol CH 3 CH 2 OH, and thence to the alcohol 

 CH 3 - CH 2 CH 2 OH, etc., or from the alcohols (propyl) 



