2.5 Alcohols

What is a homologous series?

A family of compounds with the same general formula and similar chemical properties.

What causes melting and boiling points to increase in a homologous series?

Increasing strength of intermolecular forces as molecular size increases.

What are saturated compounds?

Compounds containing only single carbon-carbon bonds.

What is the general formula for alkanes?

Cnh2n+2.

What is the general formula for cycloalkanes and alkenes?

Cnh2n.

What are isomers?

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulae.

What functional group do alcohols contain?

The hydroxyl functional group, -oh group.

What is the general formula for saturated, straight-chain alcohols?

Cnh2n+1oh.

Why are alcohols commonly used as fuels?

They are highly flammable and burn with very clean flames.

What happens to the solubility of alcohols as their chain length increases?

Solubility decreases as size increases.

Which alcohols are fully miscible with water?

Methanol, ethanol and propanol.

What is the ph of alcohols?

They are neutral substances with a ph of 7.

What is the name ending for alcohols?

It is always -ol.