Alcohols Flashcards
What is the general formula of alcohols?
CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH
What are the two way of producing ethanol commercially?
Hydration of ethene
Fermentation of Carbohydrates
What are the conditions need to hydrate ethene?
Phosphoric acid in silica gel catalyst, 300℃ and 60atm
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is the breakdown of glucose by anaerobic respiration producing ethanol
How can carbohydrates be used for ethanol production?
When yeast and water are added to carbohydrates, the amylase and maltase enzymes hydrolyse the complex carbs into simple fermentable sugars
How does yeast play a role in the production of enthanol?
Yeast provides the enzyme zymase, which breaks down glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide
What are the conditions needed for the conversion of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide?
Zymase, 37℃, a lack of oxygen and the correct pH
What are the physical properties of alcohols?
- Alcohol molecules are covalent, but contain a strongly polar OH bond.
- It’s boiling points, viscosity and density are higher than expected.
- The lower alcohols (C₁-C₁₂) are all liquids
- The are generally insoluble in water
- The lower alcohols are good solvents, since they have a strong polar OH portion, and a non-polar hydrocarbon
What are the reactions of alcohols?
Combustion, Reaction with reactive metals, Dehydration, Oxidation and Esterification
What does combustion of an Alcohol produce?
Carbon dioxide and water
What does the reaction of an alcohol and a reactive metal produce?
A salt and hydrogen gas
What conditions are needed for the dehydration of alcohols?
- Concentrated sulfuric acid and 170℃
- Aluminum oxide and 450℃
What oxidising agent is used with alcohols?
Acidified potassium manganate(VII) or potassium chromate (VI)
What does oxidisation of alcohols produce?
Alkanoic Acids and Hydrogen gas
What is esterification?
When alcohol and alkanoic acids react to form an ester
