14.2 - Reactions of Alcohols

Question 1

Combustion of alcohols reaction

Answer 1

Alcohol + O2 -> CO2 + H2O

Reaction is exothermic, it gets more exothermic when alcohol has longer C chain.

Question 2

Oxidation of primary alcohols

Answer 2

alcohol -> aldehyde if distilled -> carboxylic acid if reflux

Question 3

Oxidation of secondary alcohols

Answer 3

alcohol -> ketone

Question 4

Colour of acidified potassium dichromate when oxidised

Answer 4

orange -> green

Question 5

Oxidation of tertiary alcohols

Answer 5

No oxidation occurs

Question 6

Dehydration of alcohols

Answer 6

Water molecule is removed.
Alcohols heated under reflux with conc sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or conc phosphoric acid (H3PO4)

Question 7

Substitution reaction of alcohols

Answer 7

Alcohols react with hydrogen halides to form haloalkanes.

Alcohol is heated under reflux with sulfuric acid and a sodium halide, which produce the HBr in situ.

The HBr formed reacts with the alcohol to produce the haloalkane.