Unit 7: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers Vocabulary

Alcohol

An organic compound formed when a hydrogen atom in an aliphatic hydrocarbon is replaced by a hydroxyl ($\text{-OH}$) group.

Phenol

An organic compound formed when a hydrogen atom in an aromatic hydrocarbon is replaced by a hydroxyl ($\text{-OH}$) group directly attached to an aromatic ring.

Ether

A class of organic compounds formed by substituting a hydrogen atom of a hydrocarbon with an alkoxy ($\text{R–O-}$) or aryloxy ($\text{Ar–O-}$) group, or by replacing the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of an alcohol or phenol with an alkyl or aryl group.

Monohydric Alcohols

Alcohols that contain only one hydroxyl ($\text{-OH}$) group in their structure.

Dihydric Alcohols

Alcohols that contain two hydroxyl ($\text{-OH}$) groups in their molecular structure, such as ethylene glycol ($\text{ethane-1,2-diol}$).

Trihydric Alcohols

Alcohols that contain three hydroxyl ($\text{-OH}$) groups in their structure, such as glycerol ($\text{propane-1,2,3-triol}$).

Allylic Alcohols

Alcohols in which the $\text{-OH}$ group is attached to a $sp^3$ hybridised carbon atom adjacent to a carbon-carbon double bond.

Benzylic Alcohols

Alcohols in which the $\text{-OH}$ group is attached to a $sp^3$ hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring.

Vinylic Alcohols

Compounds containing an $\text{-OH}$ group bonded directly to an $sp^2$ hybridised carbon of a carbon-carbon double bond or an aryl carbon.

Symmetrical Ethers

Ethers in which the two alkyl or aryl groups attached to the oxygen atom are identical, also referred to as simple ethers (for example, diethyl ether, $\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OC}_2\text{H}_5$).