Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

Question 1

What are the physical properties of alcohols?

Answer 1

Alcohols are volatile liquids at room temperature and pressure.
Solubility decreases as molecular size increases, while B.P increases.

Question 2

What are the chemical properties of alcohols?

Answer 2

1. Combustion.
Refer to alkanes and alkenes.
2. Oxidation.
Alcohols undergo oxidation when it is heated with an oxidising agent like KMnO4. 
A carboxylic acid and water are formed.

Question 3

What is the main method for the industrial production of ethanol?

Answer 3

The catalytic addition of steam to ethene.

300’C 60atm, H3PO4 catalyst.

Question 4

What are the steps taken during fermentation?

Answer 4

The temperature of the mixture should be kept ~37’C.
-due to enzymes but you know this already
Fermentation can only take place in absence of oxygen.
-Anaerobic respiration of yeast cells.

Question 5

What are the chemical properties of carboxylic acids?

Answer 5

Carboxylic Acids are WEAK acids because they ionise only PARTIALLY in aq solution. Thus, 
Refer to acid reactions with 
Metal
Carbonate
Base

Question 6

What is the oxidation method of producing CH3COOH?

Answer 6

Heating ethanol C2H5OH and acidified KMnO4 (aq)

KMnO4 is an oxidising agent whereas ethanol is a reducing agent.

Question 7

How are esters formed?

Answer 7

CARBOXYLIC ACID + ALCOHOL —–> ESTER + WATER
Concentrated H2SO4 is a catalyst.
The OH group from the acid is replaced by the ALCOHOL WITHOUT A ‘H’

Question 8

How are esters named?

Answer 8

FIRST part obtained rom the ALCOHOL

SECOND part obtained from the ACID.