14.1 Properties of alcohols

• Alcohols have the general formula CnH2n+1OH
• Alcohols contain the functional group OH-
• Alcohols with more than 2 carbon atoms can form structural isomers
• The O-H bonds are polar because oxygen is more electronegative
• Alcohols are polar and form hydrogen bonds, making them soluble in water
• Solubility decreases as the carbon chain length increases
• Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on how many carbon are attached to the carbon atom that contains the hydroxyl group
• Tertiary alcohols have three carbons attached to the carbon bearing the -OH group
• Primary alcohols have one carbon attached to the carbon bearing the -OH group
• Secondary alcohols have two carbons attached to the carbon bearing the -OH group