Grade 12 ↓
Alcohol, phenol and ether
In organic chemistry, alcohols, phenols, and ethers are three important classes of compounds. Understanding these helps in a variety of applications, including industrial processes, biological systems, and more. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these compounds.
Alcohol
Alcohols are organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH
) groups attached to a carbon atom. The general formula of alcohols can be represented as R-OH
, where R
is an alkyl group.
Classification of alcohols
Alcohols can be classified based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group:
- Primary alcohol: The carbon with
-OH
group is attached to only one other carbon (RCH 2 OH
). Example:CH 3 CH 2 OH
(ethanol). - Secondary alcohol: The carbon with
-OH
group is attached to two other carbons (R 2 CHOH
). Example:CH 3 CHOHCH 3
(isopropanol). - Tertiary alcohol: The carbon with
-OH
group is attached to three other carbons (R 3 COH
). Example:(CH 3 ) 3 COH
(tertiary-butanol).
Properties of alcohol
There is hydrogen bonding between the alcohol molecules, due to which they have higher boiling point than hydrocarbons.
The solubility of alcohols in water decreases as the length of the carbon chain increases due to the hydrophobic nature of the alkyl chain.
Chemical reactions of alcohols:
- Combustion: Alcohols burn in air to form carbon dioxide and water.
- Oxidation: Primary alcohols can be oxidized to form aldehydes and further to carboxylic acids. Secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones. Tertiary alcohols are not easily oxidized.
1. Primary: RCH 2 OH → RCHO → RCOOH
2. Secondary: R 2 CHOH → R 2 C=O
3. Tertiary: No reaction
Uses of alcohol
Alcohol is used extensively in pharmaceuticals, as a solvent, and in the manufacture of organic compounds. Ethanol is widely used as a fuel and in alcoholic beverages.
Phenol
Phenols are aromatic compounds that have a hydroxyl group attached directly to a benzene ring. Its general formula is C 6 H 5 OH
.
Structure and properties of phenol
Phenols are different from alcohols because they contain an aromatic ring. This makes them more acidic than alcohols.
The acidity of phenol is due to the stable phenoxide ion formed after losing a proton.
Chemical reactions of phenol
Phenols undergo a variety of chemical reactions:
- Electrophilic aromatic substitution: Phenols readily react with electrophiles at the ortho and para positions of the aromatic ring.
- Esterification: Phenols can react with acyl chlorides to form esters.
Uses of phenol
Phenol is used in the manufacture of plastics, antiseptics, and pharmaceuticals.
Ether
Ethers are compounds in which one oxygen atom is attached to two alkyl or aryl groups. Their general formula is RO-R'
.
Classification of ethers
Ethers may be classified based on the nature of the groups attached to the oxygen:
- Simple ether: Two identical groups (
ROR
) such as dimethyl ether. - Mixed ether: Two different groups (
RO-R'
) such as ethyl methyl ether.
Properties of ether
Ethers have a lower boiling point than alcohols due to the absence of hydrogen bonding between ether molecules. They are generally nonpolar and are good solvents for nonpolar compounds.
Chemical reactions of ether
- Splitting by acids: Ethers can be split by strong acids such as hydroiodic acid (HI) to form alcohols and alkyl halides.
Uses of ether
Ether is mainly used as a solvent in laboratories and industries. Diethyl ether is commonly used as an anesthetic.
Understanding the structure, properties and reactions of these compounds is essential for their application in various chemical processes and industries. This comprehensive overview serves as the basis for further studies on alcohols, phenols and ethers.