Chemistry U2 M2- The alchohols and types of alcohols

• They are a homologous series
• Alcohols are soluble in water because they can form hydrogen bonds

CnH2n+1OH

• Alcohol is polar which causes hyrogen bonding between the molecules
• They have lower volatility
• Higher than expected boiling points

• Alcohols burn to form carbon dioxide and water
• This reaction is exothermic

When alcohols are heated with a acid catalyst water is eliminated to give an alkene

In the presence of an acid catalyst alcohols react with carboxylic acids to form sweet smeeling liquids

• Primary - On the carbon with the OH group with two hydrogen atoms
• Secondary - On the carbon with the Oh group with only one hydrogen atom
• Tertiary - On the carbon atom with the OH group with no hydrogen

• Primary and secondary alcohols have at least one hydrogen atom on a carbon as well as the OH. One of these hydrogens and a hydrogen on the OH can be removed.
• They both can be oxidised
• Tertiary can not be oxidised