Organic Chemistry (Alcohols)

Question 1

ALCOHOLS

Answer 1

Alcohols are derivatives of the hydrocarbons in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by a Hydroxyl group (-OH).
The functional group is OH.
The general formula is R-OH.
All alcohols will act as a base.

Question 2

Inorganic Chemistry Neutralization

Answer 2

Acid + Base → Salt + Water

Question 3

Organic Chemistry Neutralization

Answer 3

Organic Acid + Alcohol → Ester + Water

(acid) (base) (salt)

Question 4

MONOHYDROXY ALCOHOLS

Answer 4

alcohols that have 1 (-OH) group attached.

These can then be divided into three (3) groups.
PRIMARY ALCOHOLS - 1°
SECONDARY ALCOHOLS - 2°
TERTIARY ALCOHOLS - 3°

Question 5

PRIMARY ALCOHOLS

Answer 5

alcohols where the (-OH) is attached to the carbon located at the end of the carbon chain. It does not matter if it is the first or last carbon it is still at the end of the chain.
2 names
Methane becomes Methanol, Ethane becomes Ethanol
or
Another way to name a primary alcohol is to name the radical; then add to word alcohol.

Methyl alcohol, Ethyl alcohol, Propyl alcohol, etc.

Question 6

METHANOL

Answer 6

Example of a Primary Alcohol. Methanol is a derivative of methane in which methane loses one hydrogen atom and it is replaced with one hydroxyl group. The (-OH) group is at the end of the chain as with all of these are primary alcohols.

Question 7

SECONDARY ALCOHOLS

Answer 7

those alcohols in which the hydroxyl (-OH) group is attached to a carbon that is attached to two (2) other carbons. In other words, the (-OH) is attached to a carbon that has two other radicals attached to it.

Question 8

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL

Answer 8

Example of a Secondary Alcohol:
Molecular formula is: C3H8O
Line Formula is: CH3CHOHCH3
In the structural formula, the OH is attached to the middle carbon which is then attached to two methyl radicals on either side of it…

Question 9

TERTIARY ALCOHOLS

Answer 9

alcohols in which the hydroxyl (-OH) group is attached to a carbon that is attached to three (3) other carbons. Or it can be said the (-OH) is attached to a carbon that has three other radicals attached to it.

Question 10

DIHYDROXY ALCOHOLS

Answer 10

alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups; those alcohols that have 2 (-OH) groups attached.

Question 11

GLYCOL / ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Answer 11

Molecular formula is: C2H6O2
Line Formula is: C2H4(OH)2
Structural formula is: glycol

Glycol is a coolant or antifreeze; its thick colorless liquid with very little odor.
Glycol is readily soluble in water
For embalming purposes glycol is used as a Humectant or Wetting Agent which is used to retain moisture in the tissues.

Question 12

TRIHYDROXY ALCOHOLS

Answer 12

alcohols containing three hydroxyl groups; those alcohols that have 3 (-OH) groups attached.
Example:

GLYCEROL / GLYCERIN

Question 13

GLYCEROL / GLYCERIN

Answer 13

An example of a TRIHYDROXY ALCOHOLS
Molecular formula is: C3H8O3
Line Formula is: C3H5(OH)3
Structural formula is: glycerol
Glycerol is a softener that is used in hand lotions. We have all seen this listed on product labels.
For embalming purposes it is a Humectant or Wetting Agent as well as a solvent for high index embalming fluids.

Question 14

POLYHYDROXY ALCOHOLS

Answer 14

alcohols containing many hydroxyl groups; those alcohols that have many (-OH) groups attached.

Question 15

SORBITOL

Answer 15

Example of a POLYHYDROXY ALCOHOL
Molecular formula is: C6H14O6
Line Formula is: C6H8(OH)6
Structural formula is:
sorbitol
Sugars are a derivative of sorbitol. You will see it as a sweetener.
Sorbitol is used in the synthesis of Vitamin C.
Isomers of sorbitol (Mannitol and Dulcitol) are used in embalming fluids as Humectants or Wetting Agents.

Question 16

Oxidation

Answer 16

oxidation is the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen from a compound. (Reduction is the exact opposite, the removal of oxygen or the addition of hydrogen.)

Question 17

THE OXIDATION PROCESS

Answer 17

Partially oxidizing any Primary Alcohol will give you an Aldehyde
Fully oxidizing any Primary Alcohol will give you an Organic Acid
Partially oxidizing any Secondary Alcohol will give you a Ketone
Partially oxidizing an Aldehyde will give you an Organic Acid.

Completely oxidizing an Alcohol (or any organic substance) will give you CO2 + H2O

Question 18

Aromatic Alcohols (2 types)

Answer 18

All of the alcohols we have covered so far have been aliphatic. Now we need to look at the aromatic alcohols.

AROMATIC ALCOHOLS
There are two types of aromatic alcohols: aromatic alcohols and phenols.

Question 19

Aromatic Alcohols

Answer 19

An Aromatic Alcohol occurs when an (-OH) group is
substituted onto the side chain of an aromatic hydrocarbon.

Note the placement of the (-OH) group; it is not directly attached to a carbon that is part of the benzene ring; it is attached to a carbon that is attached to the benzene ring.
This is considered to be a side chain off of the benzene ring, just as the methyl group of toluene was attached to the benzene ring.
If you look closely it is toluene (an aromatic hydrocarbon) that has an (-OH) group substituted onto its side chain, therefore this is an example of an aromatic hydrocarbon.

Question 20

Phenols

Answer 20

Occurs when an (-OH) group is substituted directly onto the benzene ring.

The term phenol in a general sense means any benzene derivative with one or more (-OH) groups in direct combination with the benzene ring.
Unlike aromatic alcohols phenol’s (-OH) group(s) is/are attached to a carbon that is part of the benzene ring.

All phenols are aromatic alcohols however not all aromatic alcohols are phenols.

Question 21

PHENOL / CARBOLIC ACID

Answer 21

Molecular formula is: C6H6O
Line Formula is: C6H5OH
The is an example of a Phenol, in which its name is also “Phenols”
Notice the placement of the (-OH) group.
It is attached directly onto the benzene ring therefore creating a phenol;

Phenol’s other name is carbolic acid because when it is put in solution it ionizes as an acid would.
Phenol is highly poisonous.
It is a powerful germicide as well as a preservative and disinfectant. It is also used as a
- fungicide,
- cautery agent,
- reducing agent and
- drying agent.
Phenol is also known to be a great bleaching agent.
An antiseptic/disinfectant employed to dry moist tissues and to bleach discolored tissues.