Alcohols

Question 1

What reactions do alcohols undergo?

Answer 1

DEHYDRATION to form ALKENES using aluminium oxide, concentrated sulfuric acid or concentrated phosphoric acid

OXIDATION
Primary —> Aldehyde —> Carboxylic Acid
Secondary —> Ketones
Using acidified dichromate, acidified permanganate or hot copper (II) oxide

Formation of ALCOHOLIC ALKOXIDES by reaction with some reactive metals (sodium or potassium) —> react with monohaloalkanes to form ETHERS

Formation of ESTERS by reacting with carboxylic acids using concentrated sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid as a catalyst

Formation of ESTERS by reaction with ACID CHLORIDES - faster than with carboxylic acids and no catalyst needed

Question 2

How can alcohols be prepared?

Answer 2

Haloalkanes by substitution

Alkenes by acid-catalysed hydration (addition)

Aldehydes and Ketones by reduction using lithium aluminium hydride as a catalyst

Question 3

Hydroxyl groups

Answer 3

Make alcohols polar
Give rise to hydrogen bonding

Question 4

Hydrogen bonding effects

Answer 4

Increases boiling and melting points, viscosity and solubility or miscibility in water