14.1 Properties of Alcohols Flashcards
What are alcohols?
HOMOLOGOUS SERIES of organic compounds
with the general formula Cn H2n+1 OH
What are the physical properties of alcohols?
WATER-SOLUBLE
POLAR
LESS VOLATILE THAN ALKANES
What makes alcohol molecules polar?
difference in ELECTRONEGATIVITY of H + O
uneven distribution of electrons, O more electron dense than H
OH/HYDROXYL is polar
What makes alcohol molecules soluble?
HYDROXYL is POLAR due to difference in electronegativity of O + H
can form HYDROGEN BONDS with water molecules
(longer chain = lower solubility)
What makes alcohols less volatile than their corresponding alkanes?
alcohols can form HYDROGEN BONDS
alkanes can only form induced dipole/LONDON forces
- WEAKER than hydrogen bonds
- require less energy to overcome
- lower boiling point
therefore alkanes form gases easier than alcohols
How does alcohol solubility change with chain length?
LONGER chain = LOWER solubility
polar hydroxyl group has LOWER OVERALL EFFECT
What is a primary alcohol?
alcohol molecule
where hydroxyl is attached to a carbon
which is attached to 1/0 other carbons.
What is a secondary alcohol?
alcohol molecule
where hydroxyl is attached to carbon
which is attached to 2 other carbons.
What is a tertiary alcohol?
alcohol molecule
where hydroxyl is attached to carbon
which is attached to 3 other carbons.
