Unit 2-Alcohols Flashcards
What do all alcohols contain?
hydroxyl functional group
What can alcohols be classed as depending on the position of the hydroxyl group?
primary secondary tertiary
What are alcohols isomers of?
the comparable ether e.g. ethanol and methoxymethane
What type of intermolecular bonding do all alcohols contain?
hydrogen bonding
What effect does the presence of hydrogen bonding in alcohols have on the boiling point?
alcohols have higher boiling point than other organic compounds of comparable mass and shape
What does the polar hydroxyl groups allow alcohols to be in terms of miscibility with water?
allows it to be miscible in water but solubility decreases as the length of the carbon chain increases
State 2 methods of preparing alcohols.
hydration of alkenes
nucleophilic substitution of haloalkanes
State possible reactions of alcohols.
Combustion
Dehydration to form alkenes
Oxidation:
a) Primary → aldehyde → carboxlic acid
b) Secondary → ketone
Tertiary → does not oxidise
Reaction with carboxylic acids or acid chlorides to form esters
Reaction with alkali metals to form alkoxide ions → ethers
What do alcohols react with alkali metals to produce?
alkoxide ion and hydrogen gas
