4.2.1 Alcohols Flashcards
Are alcohols soluble in water?
- likely to be soluble in water due to similar strength attractions between water and alcohol molecules
- alcohol molecules are able to form hydrogen bonds with water due to polar -OH group
Why does solubility decrease with chain length?
- a larger part of the molecule is made up of non-polar carbon-hydrogen bonds
- the hydrocarbon chain does not form hydrogen bonds with water molecules
Are alcohols polar?
- the O-H functional group is polar due to differences in electronegativities between oxygen and hydrogen
- there is a electron deficient hydrogen that can form hydrogen bonds
Draw a diagram to show the hydrogen bonding in alcohol molecules
See notes
Why are alcohols less volatile than alkanes?
- low volatility = higher bpt
- alcohol molecules have hydrogen bonds between molecules
- alkanes only have London forces between molecules
- more energy is needed to overcome hydrogen bonds as they are stronger than London forces
- alcohols have a higher bpt
What is a primary alcohol?
- an alcohol with one alkyl group attached to C-OH
- e.g. propan-1-ol
Draw a primary alcohol
See notes
(Propan-1-ol)
What is a secondary alcohol?
- an alcohol with 2 alkyl groups attached to C-OH
- e.g. butan-2-ol
Draw a secondary alcohol
See notes
(Butan-2-ol)
What is a tertiary alcohol?
- an alcohol with 3 alkyl groups attached to C-OH
- e.g. methylpropan-2-ol
Draw a tertiary alcohol
See notes
(Methylpropan-2-ol)
Draw reaction for incomplete combustion of pentan-1-ol
See notes
(Insufficient oxygen present for complete oxidation)
Draw reaction for complete combustion of propan-2-ol
See notes
(Plentiful supply of oxygen)
What does a primary alcohol form when oxidised?
- primary alcohol
- aldehyde
- carboxylic acid
- (2 H to be removed = 2 steps)
What does a secondary alcohol form when oxidised?
- secondary alcohol
- ketone