You are on page 1of 45

Alcohols are organic compounds that contain

the hydroxyl (-OH) group.

General formula: CnH2n+1OH


where n = 1, 2, 3 ...

The CnH2n+1 group represents the alkyl group.

Methanol (first member) has the


molecular formula CH4O

CH3OH

C2H5OH

Ethanol (second member) has the


molecular formula C2H6O.

Functional group: hydroxyl (-OH) group

This means that the hydroxyl group will take


part in the chemical reactions and will
therefore determine the chemical properties
of alcohols.

The hydroxyl (- O - H) group is joined to the


carbon atom in the alcohol molecule by a
single covalent bond.

Based on the IUPAC system of naming, the straight-chain


alcohols are named by considering them as derivatives of
alkanes.
The letter e at the end of the IUPAC name of the

corresponding alkane is replaced by the suffix ol.


For example,
CH4 (methane) CH3OH (methanol)
C2H6 (ethane) C2H5OH (ethanol)
The positions of the hydroxyl (-OH) group and the
alkyl group are shown by numbering the carbon atoms from
the end of the carbon chain which gives the SMALLEST
number to the OH group.

Propan-1-ol
Butan-1-ol

a.

CH3CH2CH2CH2OH

b.

CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2OH

a. Butan-1-ol
b. Pentan-1-ol
c. butan-2-ol
d. 2-methylpropan-1-ol
e. 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-ol

Ethanol is a colourless
liquid at room
temperature and has a
characteristic odour.

Ethanol is a volatile

liquid because it has a


low boiling point
of 78oC.

Ethanol, C2H5OH is
a simple covalent
compound.

However, it is very

soluble in
water because of
the presence of

the hydroxyl

group in its
molecule.

hydrocarbon part
The hydrocarbon
part is insoluble
in water,

hydroxyl part, - OH
but the hydroxyl

part causes the


alcohol to be
soluble in water.
Methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol
are soluble in water because the hydrocarbon
part is small.
In these alcohols, the effect of the OH group on solubility is greater than the effect of
the hydrocarbon group.

insoluble in water because they have


a large hydrocarbon part (long
carbon chain).

CH3OH
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CH2CH2OH
The solubility of alcohols in water decreases
rapidly as the

molecular size increases.

Ethanol and other alcohols

Example of organic solvent:


ether, benzene, propanoane, tetrachloromethane

Ethanol and other alcohols undergo the


following reactions:

Combustion
Oxidation
Dehydration

complete
combustion when it burns in
excess OXYGEN GAS to produce

Ethanol undergoes

carbon dioxide and water.

C2H5OH (l) + 3O2 (g) 2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l)

If the supply

of oxygen is insufficient,

incomplete combustion of ethanol occurs.

Carbon monoxide gas, carbon


(black soot) and water are produced.
C2H5OH (l) + 2O2 (g) 2CO (g) + 3H2O (l)
C2H5OH (l) + O2 (g) 2C (s) + 3H2O (l)
Combustion of ethanol gives out a lot of heat energy.

Thus, ethanol is a good fuel.

Oxidation :+ [O]
Combustion : + O2 oxygen gas

Acidified potassium dichromate(VI)


is a strong oxidising agent. It oxidises ethanol

to ethanoic acid when heated.

The colour of acidified potassium

dichromate(VI) solution changes from

orange to green because the


dichromate(VI) ion (Cr2O72-, orange colour)
is reduced to chromium(III) ion (Cr3+, green
colour).

Ethanol also reacts with acidified

potassium manganate(VII) solution


when heated.
In this reaction, the colour of acidified potassium
manganate(VII) solution changes from purple

to colourless (decolourisation). The


purple colour of manganate(VII) ion, MnO4disappears, because it is reduced to the Mn2+ ion.

Dehydration is a chemical reaction in which a

water molecule is removed


from the organic compound.
When ethanol vapour is passed over
aluminium oxide, dehydration occurs and
ethene gas is produced.

Al2O3

C2H5OH(l) C2H4(g) + H2O(l)


heat

Ethanol vapour is passed over porcelain


chips. Porcelain chips contain aluminium oxide as one of
its constituents.

A mixture of ethanol and excess


concentrated sulphuric acid is heated to
180oC.

A mixture of ethanol and concentrated


phosphoric(V) acid is heated to 80oC.
Aluminium oxide, concentrated sulphuric acid and

phosphoric(V) acid act as dehydrating agents.

You might also like