Alcohols

What is the general formula?

What is the general formula?

CnH2n+1OH

picture of primary alcohol

picture of secondary

picture of tertiary

Are alcohols soluble in water?

Yes - hydrogen bonds forms between the -OH and H2O

Does solubility in water increase or decrease with size?

Solubility in water decreases as they increase in size.

What reaction takes place when alcohols react with compounds containing halide ions?

Substitution reaction

how does the substitution reaction take place?

• The hydroxyl (-OH) group is replaced by the halide, so the alcohol is transformed into a haloalkane.

• This reaction requires the addition of acid, such as H2SO4.

What reaction takes place to form alkenes from alcohols?

Dehydration

What is needed for a dehydration reaction?

• An acid catalyst, either concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or concentrated phosphoric acid (H3PO4).

• The mixture is then heated.