Alcohols, Phenols, Thiols, and Ethers Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering functional groups, nomenclature, properties, structures, and chemical reactions of alcohols, phenols, thiols, and ethers.

Alcohol

An organic compound containing a hydroxyl group ($\text{—OH}$) attached to a carbon atom.

Phenol

An organic compound containing a hydroxyl group ($\text{—OH}$) directly bonded to a benzene ring.

Thiol

An organic compound containing a thiol group ($\text{—SH}$) bonded to a carbon chain.

Ether

An organic compound containing an oxygen atom single-bonded between two carbon groups ($\text{—O—}$) that are alkyl or aromatic rings.

Diol

An alcohol molecule that contains two hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) groups.

Triol

An alcohol molecule that contains three hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) groups.

Cycloalkanol

A cyclic alcohol named by designating carbon 1 as the ring carbon attached directly to the hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) group.

Methanol

The simplest alcohol ($\text{CH}_3\text{—OH}$), found in solvents and paint removers, which oxidizes in the body to formaldehyde and can cause headaches, blindness, or death.

Ethanol

An intoxicating alcohol ($\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{—OH}$) produced by the fermentation of grains and sugars, used as a solvent in perfumes, varnishes, and medicines.

Alkoxy Group

In IUPAC ether nomenclature, the substituent group composed of the smaller alkyl group attached to the oxygen atom.

Primary ($1^\circ$) Alcohol

An alcohol in which the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) group is attached to only one alkyl group.

Secondary ($2^\circ$) Alcohol

An alcohol in which the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) group is attached to two alkyl groups.

Tertiary ($3^\circ$) Alcohol

An alcohol in which the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl ($\text{—OH}$) group is attached to three alkyl groups.

Classification of Alcohols Structural Diagram

A structural diagram demonstrating how primary ($1^\circ$), secondary ($2^\circ$), and tertiary ($3^\circ$) alcohols are classified by the number of alkyl groups attached to the hydroxyl-bearing carbon.

Dehydration of Alcohols

A reaction occurring in the presence of an acid catalyst ($\text{H}^+$) and heat where an alcohol loses an $\text{—H}$ and an $\text{—OH}$ from adjacent carbons to form an alkene and water.

Disulfide

A compound containing a carbon–sulfur–sulfur–carbon linkage ($\text{—S—S—}$) formed by the oxidation of two thiol groups.

Methanethiol

A thiol compound ($\text{CH}_3\text{—SH}$) responsible for the characteristic odor found in oysters, cheddar cheese, onions, and garlic.

Oxidation of Primary Alcohols

An organic reaction where a primary alcohol loses hydrogen to form an aldehyde, which can undergo further oxidation to yield a carboxylic acid.

Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols

An organic reaction where a secondary alcohol loses hydrogen to produce a ketone.

2-Phenylphenol

A phenol derivative used as an active antiseptic ingredient in surface disinfectants such as Lysol.

Forane (isoflurane)

An ether compound utilized as an inhaled general anesthetic to block pain signals to the brain and cause loss of consciousness.