Key Concepts
Alcohol - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Generic formula R-OH, defined by the
presence of a Hydroxyl group (-OH). Organic derivatives of water, as one of the
hydrogen atoms from the water molecule is replaced by an alkyl group.
Phenols - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Hydroxyl group directly attached to a
benzene ring
Methyl Alcohol - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Only H atoms attached to the carbon
bearing the-OH group
Primary Alcohol - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----one alkyl group attached to the
carbon atom bonded to the -OH group
, Secondary Alcohol - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Two alkyl groups attached to the
carbon atom bonded to the -OH group
Tertiary Alcohol - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Three alkyl groups attached to the
carbon atom bonded to the -OH group
Boiling Point of Alcohols - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----High due to Hydrogen
bonding between the positively charged H and negatively charged O
Water solubility of alcohols - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----As the carbon chain
length increases alcohol becomes correspondingly less soluble in water.
Alcohols Acidity/Basicity - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----Can act as a weak base
(accepting H+ using a lone pair on the O atom) or weak acid (donating the O-H
proton as H+)
Amphoteric - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----a substance that can act as both an acid
and a base
Alkoxide Ion - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----conjugate base of an alcohol, very
strong base
Alkyloxonium Ion - ---✔✔✔ANSWER----The conjugate acid of the alcohol
is often called a protonated alcohol,