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Alcohols: Lesson Seven
Alcohols: Lesson Seven
Alcohols
Alcohols have the same general structure R-OH where R represents an alkyl group
and -OH is the hydroxyl group. Phenols have similar structure to alcohols. They contain an aryl
group in place of the alkyl group of the alcohols.
The hydroxyl groups of the alcohols in particular plays a central role in the structure
and chemistry of biological molecules. It is found in sugars (carbohydrates) and lipids.
Nomenclature
Carbinol System: In this system, the simplest alcohol is CH 3 OH is called Carbinol and the
higher alcohols are derived from Carbinol
IUPAC Names: Here, the hydroxyl group OH will take the highest priority in numbering (than
double or triple bonds) and we add the end "ol" to the name of the hydrocarbon chain. We
indicate the position of the OH group using a number before the hydrocarbon name. If we have
more than one OH, we use diol, triol, …as the end and also we have to indicate the position by
numbers.
OH CH3
CH3 OH CH3CH2 CH3CH2CH2 OH CH3CH2CH2CH2 OH CH3CHCH2 OH
Methyl alcohol Ethylalcohol n-Propyl alcohol n-Butyl alcohol iso-Butyl alcohol
Carbinol Methyl carbinol Ethyl carbinol n-Propyl carbinol iso-Propyl carbinol
Methanol Ethanol 1-Propanol 1-Butanol 2-Methyl1-propanol
CH3
CH3CHCH3
OH CH3CCH3
n-Propyl alcohol OH
1-propanol tert-Butyl alcohol
2-methyl-2-propanol
Classification of Alcohols
OH R
R-CH2 R-CH-R R-C-R
OH OH
R SH Ar SH
Thiols are sometimes called mercaptans because thy react with mercury ion to form
mercury salts called mercaptides.
Uses of Alcohols
Ethanol
3. Patients with high fevers are given alcohol baths to reduce
the body temperature. Rapid evaporation from the skin results
in skin cooling.
Glycerol (1,2,3-Prepanetroil)
Sorbitol