SC23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

Question 1

What are Alchohols

Answer 1

a homologous series whose molecules contain a
hydrocarbon chain and the –OH functional group

Question 2

Which drinks
are called
spirits?

Answer 2

Drinks containing high percentage of ethanol

Question 2

What are some uses of ethanol?

Answer 2

• in alcoholic drinks
• a solvent
• a fuel
• starting material to make chemicals in industry

Question 2

What are the two was of producing ethanol

Answer 2

1. Fermentation of sugars (such as glucose) by anaerobic
   respiration of yeast cells
2. By the reaction of ethene with steam (hydration)

Question 3

What is the general formula for Alcohol?

Answer 3

CnH2n+1 OH

Question 4

What are the raw materials and conditions needed for fermentation?

Answer 4

Raw materials: sugars, water and yeast (enzymes – catalyst)

Conditions:
Optimum temperature about 30 oC
Optimum pH about 7
Anaerobic conditions (absence of oxygen/air)

Question 5

What is the highest concentration produces by fermentation and why?

Answer 5

The fermentation process only produces concentrations up to 15% as higher concentrations kill the yeast.
.

Question 6

What are Carboxylic acids?

Answer 6

a homologous series with the carboxyl
group (-COOH) functional group

Question 7

What are the Physical properties of carboxylic acids?

Answer 7

• pH = 3-4 (organic acids are weaker than inorganic acids such as: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3) – they turn litmus paper red like all acids.
• very miscible (soluble) in water

Question 8

What are the Chemical properties of carboxylic acids?

Answer 8

1. neutralise alkalis/bases and react with carbonates to form CO2 gas (as all acids). The salt formed ends in –oate
2. react with metals to form salt and H2 (as all acids)