Alcohols and Phenols

Flashcards covering the nomenclature, classification, physical and chemical properties of alcohols and phenols.

Alcohol

Any class of organic compounds that contains one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group.

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol where the carbon atom connected to the hydroxyl group is a primary carbon.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol where the carbon atom connected to the hydroxyl group is a secondary carbon.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol where the carbon atom connected to the hydroxyl group is a tertiary carbon.

Dihydric Alcohol

An alcohol containing two hydroxyl groups in the structure; also known as a diol.

Trihydric Alcohol

An alcohol containing three hydroxyl groups in the structure; also known as a triol.

IUPAC Naming for Alcohols

The longest carbon chain containing the hydroxyl group is used as the parent compound, with 'ol' replacing the 'e' of the corresponding alkane name. Carbons are numbered closest to the hydroxyl group.

Common Naming for Alcohols

Identify the number of carbon atoms and use the alkyl name followed by the word 'alcohol'. Not applicable for complex compounds.

Cyclo Prefix

Used for alcohols with the -OH attached to a ring.

Multiple Hydroxyl Groups in a Ring

Numbering starts with the carbon bearing the first hydroxyl group, and the number of -OH groups is denoted by inserting di, tri, tetra, etc., before 'ol'.

Alcohols Solubility in Water

Soluble in water due to hydroxyl group which is able to bond with water molecules. Solubility decreases as the HC chain increases.

Flammability of Alcohols

Flammability decreases as the size and mass of the molecule increases due to more covalent bonds needing to be broken.

Volatility of Alcohols

Volatile liquids have low boiling points, requiring less energy to break intermolecular bonds.

Oxidation of Primary Alcohols

Oxidation results in an aldehyde, which can further oxidize to a carboxylic acid.

Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols

Oxidation results in a ketone, which is resistant to further oxidation.

Oxidation of Tertiary Alcohols

Tertiary alcohols do not react with oxidizing agents because they lack a hydrogen atom on the -OH carbon.

Esterification

Reaction between an alcohol and carboxylic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, producing an ester and water.

Phenol

Aromatic organic compound with a phenyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH); behaves as a weak acid (carbolic acid).

Monohydric Phenol

A phenol with one -OH group.

Dihydric Phenol

A phenol with two -OH groups, also known as dihydroxybenzene (ortho, meta, or para).

Trihydric Phenol

A phenol with three -OH groups.