PHM 1107 - Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Alcohols

These flashcards contain key vocabulary and definitions related to the chemistry of alcohols, their properties, nomenclature, reactions, and applications in pharmacy.

Alcohols

Compounds that possess a hydroxyl group (OH) connected to an sp3-hybridized carbon atom, characterized by names ending in 'ol'.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom (-OH).

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to one other carbon atom.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to two other carbon atoms.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to three other carbon atoms.

Boiling Points of Alcohols

Alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes and alkyl halides due to hydrogen bonding interactions.

Miscibility with Water

The ability of a substance to mix with water; methanol is miscible with water, while larger alcohols may not be.

Reducing Agent

A substance that donates electrons in a chemical reaction; common reducing agents for alcohol preparation include sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4).

Grignard Reagent

A carbon nucleophile formed from the reaction between an alkyl halide and magnesium, characterized by a C-Mg bond.

Oxidation of Primary Alcohols

A process where primary alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids.

Glucuronidation

A metabolic pathway where drugs, such as alcohols, are conjugated with glucuronic acid to form soluble compounds for excretion.

Antiseptic Properties

Certain alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropanol, are used as antiseptics because they effectively kill microorganisms.

Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes

A reaction where alkenes add water in the presence of an acid catalyst to yield alcohols, following Markovnikov's rule.

SN1 Reaction

A type of nucleophilic substitution reaction that proceeds via a carbocation intermediate, often associated with tertiary alcohols.

SN2 Reaction

A type of nucleophilic substitution reaction that occurs in one concerted step, commonly used for primary alcohols.