4.2.1 - Alcohols Flashcards
What is the functional group of an alcohol?
Hydroxyl group -OH
What is the general formula of an alcohol?
Cn H2n+1 OH
How do you name alcohols (one prefix, one suffix)?
Hydroxyl- OR -ol
What kind of intermolecular forces do alcohols have?
Why?
Hydrogen bonding
Due to the electronegativity difference in the OH bond
How do alcohols’ melting point and boiling point compare to other hydrocarbons’ of similar C chain lengths? Why?
Higher
Because they have hydrogen bonding (strongest type of intermolecular force) stronger than London forces
Are alcohols soluble in water?
Why does solubility depend on chain length?
Soluble when short chain - OH hydrogen bonds to hydrogen bond in water
Insoluble when long chain - non-polarity of C-H bond takes precedence
What makes an alcohol primary?
C that is bonded to OH is only bonded to one other C atom
What makes an alcohol secondary?
C that is bonded to OH is bonded to two other C atoms
What makes an alcohol tertiary?
C that is bonded to OH is bonded to three other C atoms
Write an equation for the combustion of ethanol
C2H5OH (l) + 3O2 (g) -> 2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l)
What forms if you partially oxidise a primary alcohol?
An aldehyde
What conditions are needed to partially oxidise a primary alcohol?
Dilute sulphuric acid, potassium dichromate (VI), distill product as it’s produced, gentle heating
Write an equation for the partial oxidation of ethanol
CH3CH2OH (l) + [O] -> CH3CHO (g) + H2O (l)
What forms if you fully oxidise a primary alcohol?
A carboxylic acid
What conditions are needed to fully oxidise a primary alcohol?
Concentrated sulphuric acid, potassium dichromate (VI), reflux, strong heating