Alcohols

• Alcohols contain an -OH group and follow the general formula CnH2n+1OH.
• Alcohols can be produced via two main methods: hydration and fermentation.
• Hydration involves the production of alcohols from alkenes in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as phosphoric acid.
• Fermentation involves the breakdown of starch into sugars, which are then fermented to form alcohol. It is the breakdown of glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide in the presence of yeast
• Primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidized to produce various products, while tertiary alcohols are not easily oxidized.
• test for alcohols

  • add acidified potassium dichromate
  • primary and secondary alcohols will change from orange to green
• formation of glucose from photosynthesis

  6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
• fermentation of glucose to form ethanol

  C6H12O6 --> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2