Chapter 14 - Alcohols

Question 1

why are alcohols less volatile than alkanes?

Answer 1

alcohols contain some hydrogen bonds

Question 2

why are alcohols less soluble as chain length increases?

Answer 2

the OH group has less influence

Question 3

describe the structure of primary alcohols?

Answer 3

the OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is attached to two hydrogen atoms and one alkyl group

Question 4

describe the structure of secondary alcohols

Answer 4

the OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is attached to one hydrogen atom and two alkyl groups

Question 5

describe the structure of tertiary alcohols

Answer 5

the OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is attached to no hydrogen atoms and three alkyl groups

Question 6

what is the oxidising agent used when oxidising alcohols?

Answer 6

potassium dichromate

Question 7

what can primary alcohols be oxidised to?

Answer 7

aldehydes and carboxylic acids

Question 8

what are secondary alcohols oxidised to?

Answer 8

ketones

Question 9

what four reactions can alcohols undertake?

Answer 9

combustion
oxidisation
dehydration
substitution