Unit 2: (b) Alcohols Flashcards
What are the 2 ways that alcohols can be prepared?
Fermentation and Catalytic hydration.
What is the general formula for fermentation?
C6H12O6 -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
What is general formula of the alcohols?
Cn H2n+1 OH
What is the functional group of the alcohols?
The hydroxyl group (OH)
Can alcohols have more than one hydroxyl group?
Yes
As the number of carbons atoms in an alcohol increases what happens to the boiling point?
It increases.
Why do larger hydrocarbon chains have higher boiling points?
Because there is greater forces of attraction between molecules (intermolecular bonding)
How does the presence of a hydroxyl group increase the boiling point?
The presence of a hydroxyl group leads to stronger hydrogen bonding which in turn raises the boiling point.
If there is more hydroxyl groups in a molecule what does that mean for the boiling point?
It is increased.
As the hydrocarbon length increases what happens to the solubility of an alcohol?
It decreases.
What happens to the viscosity of an alcohol as you increase the number of hydroxyl groups?
It increases.
Why does increasing the number of OH groups increase the viscosity of an alcohol?
There is more opportunity for hydrogen bonding.
What are the three types of alcohol?
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary.
What makes an alcohol a primary alcohol?
The carbon atom bearing the OH group is only bonded to one other carbon atom.
What makes an alcohol a secondary alcohol?
The carbon atom bearing the OH group is only bonded to 2 other carbon atoms.
