alcohols

• what is the functional group for alcohols?

  -OH
• what are the first 4 members of the homologous series of alcohols?

  • methanol
  • ethanol
  • propanol
  • butanol
• what happens when any of the first 4 alcohols react w sodium?

  form hydrogen
• what happens when any of the first 4 alcohols burn in air?


  undergo complete combustion to produce carbon dioxide + water
• what happens when any of the first 4 alcohols are added to water?

  dissolve to form a neutral solution
• what happens when any of the first 4 alcohols react w an oxidising agent?

  produce a carboxylic acid
• what are the main uses of alcohols?

  • fuels
  • solvents
  • drinks
• how is ethanol made using fermentation?

  add yeast to sugar solution - yeast converts sugars into ethanol, this also produces carbon dioxide
• what are the conditions for the fermentation of sugar using yeast?

  • around 37 degrees
  • slightly acidic solution
  • anaerobic conditions