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O Level Chemistry
Chapter 23 Alcohols and Organic Acids
Alcohols
A homologous series containing the OH functional group: hydroxyl group
They have the general formula, CnH2n+1OH.
-OH group is covalent. It is
Each member differs from the member before it by CH2. different from OH- ions in bases.
Names of alcohol ends with -ol.
Alcohols are soluble in water, colourless liquids and have low boiling points.
As the number of carbon atoms , boiling point , but solubility in water.
Ethanol is the most common alcohol.
Preparation of Ethanol
1) By fermentation of sugars with yeasts
- Fermentation is a chemical reaction where sugars are broken down into smaller molecules by micro-
organisms (e.g. yeasts).
yeast
Glucose Ethanol + Carbon dioxide
C6H12O6 (aq) 2C2H5OH (aq) + 2CO2 (g)
- Sugars can be used for the fermentation process to make alcoholic drinks.
- Reaction takes place in the absence of oxygen.
- Speed of reaction is fastest at 37 C.
- Only a dilute solution of about a maximum 18% of ethanol is formed. (Why?)
- Fractional distillation can separate ethanol from the solution to increase its concentration.
2) From Ethene
- Ethene and steam are passed over a hot catalyst of phosphoric acid at 300 C and 65 atmospheres.
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Chapter 23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
- A mixture of ethanol and water is formed. Ethanol can be separated from water by fractional
distillation.
Reactions of Alcohol
Most chemical properties of alcohols are determined by the hydroxyl group (-OH).
1) Combustion
Alcohol + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water
C2H5OH (aq) + 3O2 (g) 2CO2 (g) + 3H2O (l)
2) Oxidation
Acidified potassium dichromate(VI)
Alcohol + [O] Organic acid + Water solution is a mixture of sulfuric acid and
potassium dichromate(VI) solution
C2H5OH (aq) + 2[O] CH3COOH (aq) + H2O (l)
- Ethanol is warmed with acidified potassium dichromate (VI) solution to give ethanoic acid.
- Ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid.
- Dichromate(VI) ions, Cr2O72- (orange), are reduced to chromium(III) ions, Cr3+ (green).
- Ethanol can also be oxidised to ethanoic acid by air.
Uses of ethanol
Solvent for paints, varnishes, perfumes, deodorants
Alcoholic drinks
Fuel for vehicles e.g. race cars
To make ethanoic acid for preserving food and making esters
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Chapter 23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
Butanoic
4 C3H7COOH CH3CH2CH2COOH
acid
bacteria
C2H5OH (aq) + 2O2 (g) CH3COOH (aq) + H2O (l)
2) With bases
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) CH3COONa (aq) + H2O (l)
3) With metal carbonates
2CH3COOH (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) 2CH3COONa (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
4) Carboxylic acids reacting with Alcohols
- They form esters in the presence of a little concentrated sulfuric acid.
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Chapter 23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
Esters
An organic compound formed from the reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
This reaction is called esterification.
Esters are neutral, sweet-smelling, colourless liquids with low boiling points.
They can be found naturally in fruits. Uses of Esters
They are good solvents for organic compounds. Flavourings for food stuff
Perfumes
Solvents (in nail polish remover,
for glues and paints, etc.)
Ester:
Naming Esters
CH3COOH (aq) + C4H9OH (aq) CH3COOC4H9 (aq) + H2O (l)
ethanoic acid butanol butyl ethanoate
- The 1st part is the hydrocarbon part of alcohol with a -yl.
- The 2nd part is the part of acid with the suffix -oate.
- Hence the ester formed above is called butyl ethanoate as it comes from butanol and ethanoic acid.
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Chapter 23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
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Chapter 23 Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
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