Alcohols

• Alcohols have the function group OH
• Alcohols are a homologous series.
• The first 4 alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol.
• The general formula for alcohols is CnH2n+1OH
• The first 4 alcohols are flammable, soluble and can be oxidised.
• Alcohols flammability means they can undergo complete combustion. This means they can react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
• Solubility means alcohols can dissolve in water. Alcohols aren't acidic or alkaline, so their solutions will have a neutral pH.
• Alcohols can oxidised to form a carboxylic acid. carboxylic acids have the functional group COOH
• We can use alcohols as fuels. (releases loads of energy).
• We can use alcohols as solvents in industry as alcohols can dissolve things that water can't such as fats, oils, lipid compounds and hydrocarbons.