Alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters Flashcards
What is the functional group of an alcohol?
-OH
What are the first three members of the homologous series of alcohols?
Methanol, Ethanol and Propanol.
What is a homologous series?
A homologous series is a series of compounds with the same general formula
What are the properties of alcohols?
Dissolve in water to form a neutral solution.
React with sodium to produce hydrogen.
Burn in air.
What are the uses of alcohols?
Fuels and solvents, Ethanol is also the main alcohol in alcoholic drinks.
What happens when ethanol is oxidised?
It becomes ethanoic acid.
What is used to oxidise alcohols?
By either chemical oxidising agents or by microbial action.
What is the main use of ethanoic acid?
It is the main acid in vinegar.
What is the functional group of carboxylic acids?
-COOH.
Ethanoic acid is an example of a..
Carboxylic Acid.
What are the properties of carboxylic acids?
Dissolve in water to produce acidic solutions.
React with carbonates to form carbon dioxide.
React with alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce esters.
Do not ionise completely when dissolved in water and so are weak acids.
Aqueous solutions of weak acids have a higher pH value than aqueous solutions of strong acids with the same concentration.
What is the ester produced from ethanol and ethanoic acid?
Ethyl ethanoate.
What is the functional group of esters?
-COO-
Why are esters used for flavourings and perfumes?
Because they are volatile compounds with distinctive smells.
