Alcohols

• What is the general formula of an alcohol?

  C_nH_2n+1OH
• What is the formula for an alcohol with 2 carbons?

  C₂H₅OH
• What functional group do all alcohols contain?

  -OH functional group
• What are the first four alcohols in the homologous series?

  • Methanol, CH₃OH
  • Ethanol, C₂H₅OH
  • Propanol, C₃H₇OH
  • Butanol, C₄H₉OH
• How can alcohols differ in structure?

  By having -OH groups attached to different carbon atoms
• What can alcohols be oxidized to form?

  Carboxylic acids
• What happens during the oxidation of alcohols?

  They gain oxygen and lose hydrogen
• What is produced when ethanol is oxidized?

  Ethanoic acid
• What is a common oxidizing agent for alcohols?

  Potasium dichromate (VI)
• What is the role of an oxidizing agent in alcohol oxidation?

  It facilitates the loss of electrons from alcohols
• What does the oxidation of alcohols describe?

  The loss of electrons and formation of acids
• What happens when ethanol is heated with potassium dichromate (VI)?

  It is oxidized to ethanoic acid
• What is the result of heating alcohols with an acidified oxidizing agent?

  Formation of carboxylic acids
• What is the significance of the -OH group in alcohols?

  It defines their chemical properties
• How do alcohols behave in terms of oxidation?

  They can be oxidized to form various products
• What is the chemical formula for methanol?

  CH₃OH
• What is the chemical formula for ethanol?

  C₂H₅OH
• What is the chemical formula for propanol?

  C₃H₇OH
• What is the chemical formula for butanol?

  C₄H₉OH
• What is the relationship between the number of carbon atoms and the alcohol's properties?

  More carbon atoms generally increase molecular weight
• How does the structure of alcohols affect their reactivity?

  Different structures lead to different oxidation products
• What is the significance of the carbon chain in alcohols?

  It determines the alcohol's physical and chemical properties
• What is the role of sulfuric acid in alcohol oxidation?

  It acts as a dehydrating agent
• What happens when alcohols are heated with sulfuric acid?

  They can undergo dehydration to form alkenes
• How does the presence of the -OH group influence alcohol behavior?

  It makes them polar and soluble in water
• What is the primary functional group in alcohols?

  -OH group
• Why are alcohols considered organic compounds?

  They contain carbon atoms in their structure
• How do the properties of alcohols change with increasing carbon chain length?

  They become less volatile and more viscous
• What is the simplest alcohol?

  Methanol
• What is the effect of branching in alcohols on their boiling points?

  Branching generally lowers boiling points
• How does the oxidation state of carbon change during alcohol oxidation?

  It increases as alcohol is oxidized
• What is the significance of the carbon chain in determining alcohol properties?

  It influences solubility and boiling point
• What is the chemical formula for a four-carbon alcohol?

  C₄H₉OH
• What happens to alcohols when they are oxidized?

  They form carboxylic acids or aldehydes
• How do alcohols react with oxidizing agents?

  They undergo oxidation to form acids
• What is the chemical formula for a three-carbon alcohol?

  C₃H₇OH
• What is the effect of alcohol structure on its reactivity?

  Different structures lead to different oxidation products
• What is the chemical formula for a two-carbon alcohol?

  C₂H₅OH
• What is the role of the -OH group in alcohols?

  It defines their chemical behavior and properties
• How does the carbon chain length affect the boiling point of alcohols?

  Longer chains generally increase boiling points