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Types of Carbon( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 degree carbon ) and Hydrogen atoms in organic chemistry.

Primary( 1⁰) carbon and primary hydrogens:

The carbon attached to one other carbon or no other carbon is called 1⁰ carbon or primary carbon, while hydrogens attached to primary carbon are called primary hydrogens.

e.g. in the following examples, degree of carbon in methane is 1⁰ carbon or primary carbon because carbon is not attached to any other carbon atom and their hydrogens are primary hydrogens.

In second example , degree of both carbon atoms in ethane is 1⁰ carbon or primary carbon because both carbon atoms are attached to one other carbon atom and all the hydrogens present around 1 degree carbon atoms are primary hydrogens.

Examples of 1 degree carbon:

Secondary( 2⁰) carbon and secondary hydrogens:

The carbon attached to two other carbons is called 2⁰ carbon or secondary carbon, while hydrogens attached to secondary carbon are called secondary hydrogens.

e.g. in the mentioned compound Carbon No.2 is s degree or secondary carbons and their hydrogens are secondary hydrogens.

Examples of 2 degree carbon:

Tertiary( 3⁰) carbon and Tertiary hydrogens:

The carbon attached to three other carbons is called 3⁰ carbon or tertiary carbon, while hydrogen atoms attached to tertiary carbon are called tertiary hydrogens.

e.g. in the mentioned compound Carbon No.2 is tertiary carbon and its hydrogen is tertiary.

Examples of 3 degree carbon:

Quaternary ( 4⁰)carbon and Quaternary hydrogens:

The carbon attached to four other carbons is called 4⁰ carbon or tertiary carbon, while hydrogen atoms attached to quaternary carbon are called tertiary hydrogens.

Examples of 4 degree carbon: