ALKOHOLS

Science xi ipa
 WHAT IS ALCOHOL?

• the general formulae of alcohol is C nH2n+1OH

example: C2H5OH

• Alcohol can be converted to aldehydes and carboxylic acids

by oxidation

• Alcohols, phenols and acids can be distinguished by their

reaction with sodium metal, aqueous sodium hydroxide and
aqueous sodium carbonate.
• All alcohol burn to give carbon dioxide and water. With combution
reaction :

C2H5OH + 3O2 --> 2CO2 + 3H2O

• Primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols can be distinguished either

by their different oxidation product with K2Cr2O7 and H2SO4 or by
using the lucas reagent (concentrated HCl and ZnCl 2 )
• Alcohol can be prepared from halogenoalkanes, alkanes and
carbonil compounds

• An important source of ethanol is the fermentation of starch

or sucrose by yeast

• The equation of fermentation is :

C6H12O6 --> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2

 FIVE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESFUL
FERMENTATION ARE :

1. Yeast
2. Water
3. Yeast nutrients (ammonium phosphate is often used)
4. Warmth (ideal temperature is 30 C
5. Absence of air (oxygen)
 ALCOHOLS CAN REACT GENEREALY IN THREE
DIFFERENT WAYS :

1. By breaking the O—H bond

2. By breaking the C—O bond
3. By breaking the C—H bond next to the –OH group