THE CHEMISTRY OF

ALCOHOL and Ether

Prof.Dr | Ahmed M . El –
Morsy
 BOILING POINTS OF ALCOHOLS

Increases with molecular size due to increased van der Waals’ forces.

Alcohols have higher boiling points than

similar molecular mass alkanes

This is due to the added presence of

inter-molecular hydrogen bonding.
More energy is required to separate the molecules.

Mr bp / °C
propane C3H8 44 -42 just van der Waals’ forces
ethanol C2H5OH 46 +78 van der Waals’ forces + hydrogen bonding
 BOILING POINTS OF ALCOHOLS

Increases with molecular size due to increased van der Waals’ forces.

Alcohols have higher boiling points than

similar molecular mass alkanes

This is due to the added presence of

inter-molecular hydrogen bonding.
More energy is required to separate the molecules.

M bp / °C
propane C3H8 44 -42 just van der Waals’ forces
ethanol C2H5OH 46 +78 van der Waals’ forces + hydrogen bonding

Boiling point is higher for “straight” chain isomers.

bp / °C
butan-1-ol CH3CH2CH2CH2OH 118
Greater branching =
butan-2-ol CH3CH2CH(OH)CH3 100
lower inter-molecular forces
2-methylpropane-2-ol (CH3)3COH 83
 SOLVENT PROPERTIES OF ALCOHOLS

Solubility Low molecular mass alcohols are miscible with water

Due to hydrogen bonding between the two molecules
Heavier alcohols are less miscible

Solvent
properties Alcohols are themselves very good solvents
They dissolve a large number of organic molecules
 Mechanism of Reduction

• The reagent adds the equivalent of hydride to the carbon of C=O and
polarizes the group as well

17
SUMMARY : Preparation and REACTIONS of Alcohols

• Alcohols are derived from many types of compounds

• The alcohol hydroxyl can be converted to many other
functional groups
• This makes alcohols useful in synthesis

21