(12) Alcohols and Ethers

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What is the general formula of an alcohol?

Organic compounds containing one or more -OH groups

How do alcohols derive from hydrocarbons?

one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by an -OH group

How are alcohols classified?

By the number of -OH groups they contain

What is a monohydroxyl alcohol?

Alcohols containing only one -OH group

A monohydroxyl alcohol can be named according to…

the alkyl group it is attached to (meth, eth, prop, but, pent and so on)

How do you to the name a monohydroxyl alcohol in accordance to hydrocarbons?

changing the e in the hydrocarbon to ol
ex: methane to methanol

What is the alcohol we drink?

Ethyl alcohol

What are primary alcohols?

Alcohols in which the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is joined to only one other carbon (ex: butyl) (one carbon on the outside)

What are secondary alcohols?

Alcohols where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is joined to two other carbon atoms (exL isopropanol) (carbon in the middle)

What are dihydroxyl alcohols?

Alcohols containing two -OH groups, occasionally known as glycols

What is ethylene glycol?

A dihydroxyl alcohol used commercially as a coolant/antifreeze for automobiles engines because of its high boiling point, low freezing point and high solubility in water. Represents the simplest class of HUMECTANTS

What are trihydroxy alcohols?

Alcohols contianing three -OH groups (ex: glycerin/glycerol is the most common)

How is glycerin/glycerol used in embalming?

Used as both a humectant and a solvent in embalming fluid

What are polyhydroxy alcohols?

Alcohols containing more than three -OH groups

What polyhydroxy alcohols are used in embalming fluids?

Sorbital (and two of its isomers mannitol and dulcitol) are commonly used as humectants in embalming fluids

What is methyl alcohol (methanol)?

Firs tof a series of primary monohydroxy alcohols. Also known as wood alochol as it is produced by a process known as the destructive distillation of wood

How does the distillation of wood work?

-Involves heating organic substances in the absence of air or oxugen and condensing the vapors
-Oxygen is excluded because the complete oxidation of any organic substance results in carbon dioxide and water

Why is methanol instrumental in the production of formaldehyde?

Since, after it’s formed, it can undergo a partial oxidation into an aldehyde (becomes methanal)

What is ethyl alcohol (ethanol)?

Grain alcohol as it is produced via the fermentation of carbs. Good solvent. Used chiefly in the form of denatured alcohol to render it unfit for drinking

Partial oxidation of ethanol produces…

Ethanal, or acetaldehyde e

What is propanol?

An alcohol which has an isomer, isopropyl, which has many industrial uses. Relatively inexpensive and sold tax free without restriction. Excellent disinfectant, possessing approx twice the germicidal strength of ethanol

What are thioalcohols? (mercaptans)

the sulfar analogs of alcohols- contain the sulfhydryl group (SH instead of the hydroxyl group OH)
-General formula is R-SH
-Sulfuric, so produces obnoxious odors

What is responsible for the unique odor acquired by normal urine after ingestion of asparagus?

Methyl mercaptan

What is added to natural gas to aid in detection of gas leaks?

ethyl mercaptan- tracer substance

What is the best known mercaptan?

3-methyl-1-butanethiol, or the scent of a skunk

What creates the scent of burning hair/flesh?

Proteins such as keratin are rich in both sulfydryl groups and disulfide bridges (-S-S-)

What creates the scent of decomp?

mercaptains as they are routinely present as final products of decomp

What are simple ethers?

Symmetrical ethers, have two alkul groups that are identical

How are simple ethers named?

use the name of the alkyl groups attached to the oxygen

What is diethyl ether? (ethyl ether)

Widely known for its qualities as a surgical anaesthetic. Replaced in modern times due to its flammability and undesired side effects including nausea, vomiting and irritation of respiratory passages