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Chapter 24- Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

ALCOHOLS

  • Alcohols are organic compounds with the hydroxyl functional group and the general formula CnH2n+2 .

  • Alcohols are soluble in water but their solubility decreases as the chain of carbon atoms becomes longer.

  • Alcohols are neutral in pH and can undergo combustion and oxidation.

  • The first four alchols are liquids at room temperature and pressure.

  • In presence of potassium manganate (VII) which is an oxidising agent, alkenes are oxidised to alcohols. Potassium Manganate (VII) changes colour from purple to colourless.

  • Ethene is oxdised to ethanol which is one way to produce this alcohol.

  • Another way to produce ethanol is by fermentation of yeast in presence of enzymes, 37 degrees celsius temperature and a neutral (7) pH. When yeast respires anaerobically, glucose is broken into carbon dioxide and ethanol.

  • Ethanol is used as a solvent, in alcoholic drinks, and as a fuel.

CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

  • Carboxylic acids are organic acids with the functional group -COOH, and the general formula CnH2n+1COOH.

  • As the chain of carbon atoms increases, the melting and boiling points of carboxylic acids also increases.

  • Carboxylic acids undergo the same reactions as normal acids, i.e. with alkalis/bases, carbonates and metals.

  • They are usually weak acids with pH ranging from 3 to 5.

ESTERS

  • A carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an organic compound called ester in a process called esterification.

  • The first part of the name of the ester is the name of the alcohol with -yl at the end. The second part is the name of the carboxylic acid with -oate at the end. For e.g. ethyl methanoate is made from ethanol and methanoic acid.

  • Esters are found in fats and waxes.

  • They are used as solvents, in perfumes, and food flavourings.

Chapter 24- Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids

ALCOHOLS

  • Alcohols are organic compounds with the hydroxyl functional group and the general formula CnH2n+2 .

  • Alcohols are soluble in water but their solubility decreases as the chain of carbon atoms becomes longer.

  • Alcohols are neutral in pH and can undergo combustion and oxidation.

  • The first four alchols are liquids at room temperature and pressure.

  • In presence of potassium manganate (VII) which is an oxidising agent, alkenes are oxidised to alcohols. Potassium Manganate (VII) changes colour from purple to colourless.

  • Ethene is oxdised to ethanol which is one way to produce this alcohol.

  • Another way to produce ethanol is by fermentation of yeast in presence of enzymes, 37 degrees celsius temperature and a neutral (7) pH. When yeast respires anaerobically, glucose is broken into carbon dioxide and ethanol.

  • Ethanol is used as a solvent, in alcoholic drinks, and as a fuel.

CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

  • Carboxylic acids are organic acids with the functional group -COOH, and the general formula CnH2n+1COOH.

  • As the chain of carbon atoms increases, the melting and boiling points of carboxylic acids also increases.

  • Carboxylic acids undergo the same reactions as normal acids, i.e. with alkalis/bases, carbonates and metals.

  • They are usually weak acids with pH ranging from 3 to 5.

ESTERS

  • A carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an organic compound called ester in a process called esterification.

  • The first part of the name of the ester is the name of the alcohol with -yl at the end. The second part is the name of the carboxylic acid with -oate at the end. For e.g. ethyl methanoate is made from ethanol and methanoic acid.

  • Esters are found in fats and waxes.

  • They are used as solvents, in perfumes, and food flavourings.

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