Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to alcohols, thiols, ethers, aldehydes, and ketones.

Alcohol

An organic compound containing a hydroxyl group (-OH).

Phenol

An aromatic compound that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to a benzene ring.

Thiol

An organic compound containing a sulfhydryl group (-SH).

Ether

An organic compound containing an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups (R-O-R').

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a carbon bonded to only one other carbon.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a carbon bonded to two other carbons.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a carbon bonded to three other carbons.

Dehydration

A reaction in which water is removed from an alcohol, often resulting in an alkene.

Oxidation of Alcohols

A chemical reaction that increases the number of C-O bonds and decreases the number of C-H bonds.

Carbonyl Group

A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O).

Aldehyde

An organic compound with a carbonyl group, where at least one hydrogen atom is bonded to the carbonyl carbon.

Ketone

An organic compound with a carbonyl group bonded to two alkyl groups.

Reduction

A reaction that decreases the number of C-O bonds or increases the number of C-H bonds.

Hydrogen Bonding

A strong intermolecular force occurring between a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.

Solubility in Water

Low molecular weight alcohols (6 C's or less) are soluble in water, while higher molecular weight alcohols are not.

Zaitsev's Rule

In an elimination reaction, the more substituted alkene will be the major product.