Alcohols Flashcards
What functional group do alcohols have?
Alcohols have an ‘OH’ functional group and ends in ‘ol’
What is the formula for alcohols?
Cn H2n+1 OH
What are the first four alcohols?
Methanol, Ethanol, Propanol, and Butanol
What are the properties of alcohols?
- Flammable
- Undergo complete combustion
- Soluble in water
What are alcohols used as?
Alcohols are used as solvents and fuels
Why are alcohols used as solvents?
Alcohols such as methanol and ethanol are used as solvents. This is because they can dissolve most things water can dissolve, but they can also dissolve substances water cannot dissolve.
Which alcohols are used as fuels?
The first four alcohols are used as fuels because they are flammable
How can ethanol be made?
Ethanol can be made by fermentation
How does fermentation work?
Fermentation works by using an enzyme in yeast to convert sugars into ethanol
What is the equation for fermentation?
Sugar (yeast) –> Ethanol + Carbon dioxide
What are the optimum conditions for fermentation?
- 37*C
- Slightly acidic solution
- Under anaerobic conditions
What would happen if the conditions for fermentation were different?
- The enzyme could be denatured
- The enzyme could work at a much slower pace
