What are primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols? Give one example of each.

Primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols are classifications based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group (OH) in an alcohol molecule.

Primary alcohol: In a primary alcohol, the carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group (OH) is bonded to only one other carbon atom.
Example: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is a primary alcohol. In ethanol, the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl group is only connected to one other carbon atom.

Secondary alcohol: In a secondary alcohol, the carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group (OH) is bonded to two other carbon atoms.
Example: Isopropanol (C₃H₈O) is a secondary alcohol. In isopropanol, the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl group is connected to two other carbon atoms.

Tertiary alcohol: In a tertiary alcohol, the carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group (OH) is bonded to three other carbon atoms.
Example: Tert-butanol (C₄H₁₀O) is a tertiary alcohol. In tert-butanol, the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl group is connected to three other carbon atoms.

It's important to note that the primary, secondary, and tertiary classifications are based on the immediate carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group and do not take into account the overall structure or substituents of the alcohol molecule.