chapter 14 alcohols Flashcards
what is the general formula of alcohols?
CnH2n+1OH
what is the functional group of alcohols?
-OH
what is the name for the -OH functional group?
hydroxyl group
what are the three different types of alcohols?
primary, secondary, and tertiary
what are the two primary alcohols?
methanol and ethanol
what is a primary alcohol?
an alcohol which has one carbon bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group
what is a secondary alcohol?
an alcohol which has two carbons bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group
what is a tertiary alcohol?
an alcohol which has three carbons bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group
explain the difference in boiling points and volatility between alcohols and alkanes
- intermolecular hydrogen bonds hold the alcohol molecules together
- these bonds require more energy to overcome than the weaker London forces in alkanes
- so alcohols have a higher boiling point and lower volatility than the alkanes with the same number of carbon atoms
explain the relationship between boiling point and volatility
the higher the boiling point, the lower the volatility
explain the solubility in water of alcohols and alkanes
- alkanes are non-polar molecules and cannot form hydrogen bonds with water
- alcohols such as methanol and ethanol are completely soluble in water, as hydrogen bonds form between the polar -OH group of alcohol and the water molecules
- as the hydrocarbon chain increases, the influence of the -OH group becomes relatively smaller, the solubility of alcohols decreases
what are the two main ways alcohols are produced?
fermentation and hydration
why are alcohols polar molecules?
there is a large difference in electronegativity between carbon and oxygen
what is produced in the complete combustion of alcohols?
carbon dioxide and water
what is esterification of alcohols?
when an alcohol is warmed with a carboxylic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, an ester is formed
