Alcohols and carboxylic acids (Section 6) Flashcards
What is the general formula for alcohols?
CnH(2n+1)OH
What is the functional group for alcohols?
-OH
What do alcohols form when oxidised?
Carboxylic acids
Name an oxidising agent that can be used to oxidise an alcohol to form a carboxylic acid
Potassium dichromate(VI) (In dilute sulfuric acid)
State the colour change when an alcohol is oxidised
The potassium dichromate (VI) solution will go from orange to green
What is formed after ethanol is oxidised?
Ethanoic acid
What are the products of complete combustion?
Carbon dioxide and water
What are the two ways to produce ethanol?
Fermentation and direct hydration (Ethene and steam)
How is ethanol created from direct hydration (Ethene and steam)
.Ethene is produced from the cracking of crude oil
.Ethene (C2H4) will react with steam (H2O)to make ethanol (C2H5OH)
.The reaction needs to happen at 300 degrees C and a pressure of 60-70 atmosphere
.Phosphoric acid is used as a catalyst
What is the catalyst used in Direct hydration?
Phosphoric acid
What temperature should direct hydration take place at
300 degrees celcius
what pressure should direct hydration take place at?
60-70 atmosphere
What are the advantages of direct hydration?
.Cheap at the moment
.No waste products
.100% yeald
.Fast
What are the disadvantages of direct hydration?
.Crude oil is non renewable which means it will start to run out soon
.Ethene will eventually become expensive
How is ethanol created using fermentation?
.Sugar (glucose) is converted into ethanol using yeast
.Yeast cells contain an enzyme which is a biological catalyst
.The mixture needs to be at 30 degrees C
.If it’s too hot the enzymes denature and if it’s too cold the reaction will be too slow
.It is important to ensure the mixture is kept in anaerobic conditions otherwise the the oxygen will convert the ethanol into ethanoic acid