Alcohols

Question 1

What is an alcohol?

Answer 1

An alcohol is a molecule containing a hydroxyl group. (OH)

Question 2

What is a primary alcohol?

Answer 2

Primary alcohols are when the carbon which carries the OH group is only attached to one alkyl group

Question 3

What is a secondary alcohol?

Answer 3

Secondary alcohols are when the carbon which carries the OH group is attached to two alkyl groups.

Question 4

What is a tertiary alcohol?

Answer 4

Tertiary alcohols are when the carbon which carries the OH group is attached to the three alkyl groups.

Question 5

What is a diol and a triol?

Answer 5

Alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups are called diols, and those containing three hydroxyl groups are called triols.

Question 6

How does the number of hydroxyl groups affect boiling and melting points as well as viscosity.

Answer 6

Hydroxyl groups make alcohols polar and this gives rise to hydrogen bonding. The more hydroxyl groups an alcohol has the more hydrogen bonds it can form. This results in an increase in boiling point, melting point and viscosity.