Which of the following is NOT an alcohol?

The correct choice identifies sucrose as not being an alcohol. Sucrose is a type of carbohydrate, specifically a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. In chemical terms, alcohols are organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom.

In contrast, ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl (also known as isopropanol) are all classified as alcohols because they contain hydroxyl groups and exhibit the characteristics typical of alcohols. Ethanol is commonly found in alcoholic beverages, methanol is used as a solvent and in antifreeze, while isopropyl is often used in disinfectants and cleaning products.

Recognizing the structural and functional differences between types of compounds is crucial, especially in fields like chemistry and toxicology, where understanding the properties of substances can impact safety and regulatory compliance.