the OH group in Alcohols, Phenols and Carboxylic acids

Question 1

what is the order of acid strength?

Answer 1

alcohols < water < phenols < carboxylic acid

Question 2

what is the acid behaviour and limits of alcohols?

Answer 2

• no reactions with bases or carbonates
• will react very slowly with a really reactive metal eg. sodium

Question 3

what is the acid behaviour and limits of water?

Answer 3

• no reactions with bases or carbonates
• will react vigorously with reactive metals Eg. sodium

Question 4

what is the acid behaviour and limits of phenols?

Answer 4

• do not react with carbonates
• react with bases and metals

Question 5

what is the acid behaviour and limits of carboxylic acids?

Answer 5

• reacts with carbonates, bases and metals

Question 6

what does carboxylic acid + base =

Answer 6

carbox acid + base => salt + water

Question 7

what does a phenol + base =

Answer 7

phenol + base => salt + water

Question 8

what does a carbox acid + carbonate =

Answer 8

carbox acid + carbonate => salt + water + carbon dioxide

Question 9

describe oxidation of alcohols with acidified potassium dichromate

Answer 9

primary + secondary alcohols will be oxidised by acidified potassium dichromate, turning from orange to green
tertiary alcohols will not change colour, due to no C-C bond to be broken

Question 10

what is the test for phenols?

Answer 10

add iron (III) chloride, if a phenol is present the solution will go from yellow => purple

Question 11

what is a good test for carboxylic acids?

Answer 11

add a carbonate, if there is fizzing then there is a carboxylic acid group present