9. Alkanols Flashcards
What is the functional group in Alkanols?
The hydroxyl group
Why are alkanols miscible with water
The hydroxyl group is polar and can hydrogen bond with water molecules
What are the 3 categories of alkanols?
- Primary
- Secondary
- Tertiary
What is a primary alkanol?
Carbon carrying OH groups is bonded to (at most) 1 other C atom
What is a secondary alkanol?
Carbon carrying OH groups is bonded to 2 other C atoms
What is a tertiary alkanol?
Carbon carrying OH groups is directly bonded to 3 other C atoms (one must be a branch group)
Which categories of alkanols are able to undergo mild oxidation
Primary and secondary only
What compounds are formed when primary alkanols are oxidised?
Step 1: Alkanals (aldehydes)
Step 2: Alkanoic acids
Which compounds are formed when secondary alkanols are oxidised?
Alkanones (ketones)
Hor copper oxide as an oxidising agent.
Colour change
Black to brown
What is the reduction equation when hot copper oxide acts as an oxidising agent?
Acidified potassium dichromate as an oxidising agent.
Colour change
Orange to green
Why does potassium dichromate have to be acidified?
As a source of H+ (aq) ions
What is the reduction equation when acidified potassium dichromate acts as an oxidising agent?
Fehlings and Benedicts solutions as oxidising agents
Colour change
Blue to red (orange)
What is the reduction equation when Fehlings or Benedicts solutions act as oxidising agents?
