11 - alcohols Flashcards
What is the alcohol functional group?
OH (Hydroxyl group)
What is the general formula of alcohols?
C~n H~(2n + 2) O
When is an alcohol a primary alcohol?
When the OH is only attached to one alkyl group.
When is an alcohol secondary?
When the carbon that the OH is on is attached to two alkyl groups
When is an alcohol tertiary?
When the carbon that the OH is on is attached to three alkyl groups
What state does ethanol have at room temperature?
liquid
Why do alcohols have a higher boiling point than alkanes?
The OH group has a dipole (H has delta positive)
What is volatility?
How easily a substance evaporates
How does volatility change as boiling point changes?
Volatility decreases as boiling point increases
What is the volatility of alcohols like compared to alkanes and why?
alcohols have a low volatility compared to alkanes
Due to hydrogen bonds
Do alcohols dissolve in water?
Explain
They do dissolve in water
Because they are polar due to their hydrogen bonds
How does chain length affect solubility and why?
As chain length increases, solubility decreases
Because hydrocarbon chain is not polar and can’t make hydrogen bonds with water
What is an oxidising agent?
A reagent which provides the oxygen in a reaction
In the oxidation of alcohols
What is the oxidising agent?
Acidified potassium dichromate
H+ | K~2 Cr~2 O~7
What are the 2 oxidation reactions that can be done on primary alcohols?
Distillation
Reflux
What is formed when primary alcohols are oxidised by distillation?
Aldehyde and water
How do you draw aldehydes?
One of the END carbons must have a C=O instead of one if its C-H bonds