Alcohols

• What are alcohols classified as in organic chemistry?

  Homologous series of organic compounds
• How do alcohols differ from alkanes?

  Alcohols have an -OH group instead of hydrogen
• What is the naming convention for alcohols?

  Replace the final 'e' with 'ol'
• What are the first four alcohols in the homologous series?

  Methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol
• What is the general formula for alcohols?

  $C_nH_{2n+1}OH$
• What does it mean for alcohols to be soluble?

  They can dissolve in water to form a solution
• What is the pH of alcohol solutions?

  Neutral pH
• What happens when alcohols are oxidized?

  They form carboxylic acids
• How do you write the combustion equation for ethanol?

  C2H5OH + O2 → CO2 + H2O
• What does complete combustion of alcohols produce?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• Why are alcohols used as fuels?

  They release a lot of energy when burned
• What is one common use of alcohols in industry?

  As solvents
• Why are alcohols preferred over water as solvents?

  They can dissolve substances that water cannot
• What are the properties of the first four alcohols?

  • Flammable
  • Soluble in water
  • Can be oxidized to form carboxylic acids
• What is the process of oxidation of alcohols?

  1. Alcohol reacts with oxygen
  2. Forms a carboxylic acid
  3. Example: Ethanol to ethanoic acid
• How do alcohols undergo combustion?

  • React with oxygen
  • Produce carbon dioxide and water
  • Example: Ethanol combustion
• What is the significance of the -OH group in alcohols?

  • Defines alcohols
  • Influences solubility and reactivity
  • Differentiates from hydrocarbons