CHEM 219 Module 5 (PDF) | (2026) Alcohols & Ethers | Practice Exam

CHEM 219: Module 5 Exam - Alcohols,
Phenols, Thiols & Ethers
500 Practice Questions with Verified Answers

Portage Learning 2026 Mastery Guide



ALCOHOLS - CLASSIFICATION
Q1: Which of the following is classified as a tertiary (3°) alcohol?
A. 1-butanol
B. 2-butanol
C. 2-methyl-2-propanol
D. 2-methyl-1-propanol
Answer: C
Quick Fact: In 2-methyl-2-propanol (t-butyl alcohol), the carbon bearing the -OH group is attached to three other carbon
atoms.



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - BOILING POINTS
Q2: Arrange the following in order of increasing boiling point: Ethane, Methanol,
Dimethyl Ether.
A. Ethane < Methanol < Dimethyl Ether
B. Ethane < Dimethyl Ether < Methanol
C. Methanol < Dimethyl Ether < Ethane
D. Dimethyl Ether < Ethane < Methanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Ethane is nonpolar (London dispersion only). Dimethyl ether is polar (dipole-dipole). Methanol has hydrogen
bonding, giving it the highest boiling point.



PHENOLS
Q3: What is the common name for a benzene ring with an attached hydroxyl group?
A. Benzanol
B. Phenol
C. Phenyl alcohol
D. Cyclohexanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Phenol is the simplest aromatic alcohol, consisting of a hydroxyl group bonded directly to a benzene ring.




CHEM 219 Module 5 - Page 1

,REACTIONS - DEHYDRATION
Q4: The dehydration of an alcohol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst and heat
typically produces an:
A. Alkane
B. Alkene
C. Alkyne
D. Ether
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Dehydration removes an H and an OH from adjacent carbons (elimination) to form a carbon-carbon double
bond (alkene).



THIOLS
Q5: Which functional group is characteristic of a thiol?
A. -OH
B. -SH
C. -O-
D. -CHO
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Thiols contain the sulfhydryl group (-SH). They are known for their strong, often unpleasant odors (like
skunk spray).



ETHERS
Q6: Ethers are generally more chemically reactive than alcohols.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Ethers are relatively unreactive and are often used as solvents because they do not have a reactive O-H
bond.



ALCOHOLS - CLASSIFICATION
Q7: Which of the following is classified as a tertiary (3°) alcohol?
A. 1-butanol
B. 2-butanol
C. 2-methyl-2-propanol
D. 2-methyl-1-propanol
Answer: C
Quick Fact: In 2-methyl-2-propanol (t-butyl alcohol), the carbon bearing the -OH group is attached to three other carbon
atoms.




CHEM 219 Module 5 - Page 2

,PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - BOILING POINTS
Q8: Arrange the following in order of increasing boiling point: Ethane, Methanol,
Dimethyl Ether.
A. Ethane < Methanol < Dimethyl Ether
B. Ethane < Dimethyl Ether < Methanol
C. Methanol < Dimethyl Ether < Ethane
D. Dimethyl Ether < Ethane < Methanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Ethane is nonpolar (London dispersion only). Dimethyl ether is polar (dipole-dipole). Methanol has hydrogen
bonding, giving it the highest boiling point.



PHENOLS
Q9: What is the common name for a benzene ring with an attached hydroxyl group?
A. Benzanol
B. Phenol
C. Phenyl alcohol
D. Cyclohexanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Phenol is the simplest aromatic alcohol, consisting of a hydroxyl group bonded directly to a benzene ring.



REACTIONS - DEHYDRATION
Q10: The dehydration of an alcohol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst and heat
typically produces an:
A. Alkane
B. Alkene
C. Alkyne
D. Ether
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Dehydration removes an H and an OH from adjacent carbons (elimination) to form a carbon-carbon double
bond (alkene).



THIOLS
Q11: Which functional group is characteristic of a thiol?
A. -OH
B. -SH
C. -O-
D. -CHO
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Thiols contain the sulfhydryl group (-SH). They are known for their strong, often unpleasant odors (like
skunk spray).




CHEM 219 Module 5 - Page 3

, ETHERS
Q12: Ethers are generally more chemically reactive than alcohols.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Ethers are relatively unreactive and are often used as solvents because they do not have a reactive O-H
bond.



ALCOHOLS - CLASSIFICATION
Q13: Which of the following is classified as a tertiary (3°) alcohol?
A. 1-butanol
B. 2-butanol
C. 2-methyl-2-propanol
D. 2-methyl-1-propanol
Answer: C
Quick Fact: In 2-methyl-2-propanol (t-butyl alcohol), the carbon bearing the -OH group is attached to three other carbon
atoms.



PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - BOILING POINTS
Q14: Arrange the following in order of increasing boiling point: Ethane, Methanol,
Dimethyl Ether.
A. Ethane < Methanol < Dimethyl Ether
B. Ethane < Dimethyl Ether < Methanol
C. Methanol < Dimethyl Ether < Ethane
D. Dimethyl Ether < Ethane < Methanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Ethane is nonpolar (London dispersion only). Dimethyl ether is polar (dipole-dipole). Methanol has hydrogen
bonding, giving it the highest boiling point.



PHENOLS
Q15: What is the common name for a benzene ring with an attached hydroxyl group?
A. Benzanol
B. Phenol
C. Phenyl alcohol
D. Cyclohexanol
Answer: B
Quick Fact: Phenol is the simplest aromatic alcohol, consisting of a hydroxyl group bonded directly to a benzene ring.




CHEM 219 Module 5 - Page 4