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

Common Names: Here, alcohols are named as " alkyl alcohol"

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.

The following are examples:

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

Primary 10 Secondary20 Tertiary 30

Thiols are sulfur analogs of alcohols and contain –SH group in place of an –OH group.

R SH Ar SH

Thiols are sometimes called mercaptans because thy react with mercury ion to form
mercury salts called mercaptides.

alcohols, phenols and thiols occure in nature.

Uses of Alcohols

Methanol (methyl alcohol)

1.      Methanol is used as a solvent.

2.      It is the principal starting material for methanal

(Formaldehyde), a very important industrial chemical which is
also used as preservative for biological speciments.

3.      Methyl alcohol is also referred to as “wood alcohol” it  is

toxic and causes blindness and perhaps death if ingested.

4.      Recently, methanol has been used as carbon source for

production of single cell proteins.

Ethanol

1.      It is widely used as a solvent and raw material for preparing

organic chemicals.

2.      It is often called “grain alcohol” because it may be produced

by fermentation of starch in grains by yeast.

3.      Ethanol is used as topical antiseptic and as starting material

for manufacture of ethers and is knows as hospital alcohol

4.      It can be used as fuel (gasohol) and a carbon source for

single cell proteins.

2-Propanol (isopropyl alcohol)

1.      It is commonly known as “rubbing alcohol”. It is used as a

disinfectant, skin drying agent (astringent) and industrial
solvent (windshield cleaning solution) and has wide
applicability as a raw material in the synthesis of organic
chemicals such as acetone.
 2.      It is Colorless, has a very slight odor, and is very toxic when
ingested.

3.      Patients with high fevers are given alcohol baths to reduce
the body temperature. Rapid evaporation from the skin results
in skin cooling.

1,2-Ethanediol (ethylene glycol)

1.      It is used as automobile antifreeze. When ethylene glycol is

added to water in the radiator, it lowers the freezing point and
raises the boiling point of the water in solution.

2.      Ethylene glycol is one of the principal starting materials in

the synthesis of polyesters, the synthetic “double knit” fibers
used by the clothing industry.

3.      It is a compound that is easily oxidized than the material it is

protecting.

Glycerol (1,2,3-Prepanetroil)

1.      It is Viscous, Sweet tasting, nontoxic liquid. It is used in

pharmaceuticals, Lubricants and cosmetics.

2.      Glycerol is obtained as a by-product of the hydrolysis of

fats.

Sorbitol

1.      Sorbitol with its six hydroxyl groups is water soluble.

2.      It is almost as sweet as cane sugar and is used sugar

substitute for diabetics.