Properties and Chemical Reactions of Alcohols, Ethers, and Halides
Classified in Chemistry
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Physical Properties of Alcohols
- State: Lower alcohols are liquids; higher alcohols are solids.
- Density: Less dense than water.
- Boiling Points: Higher than corresponding alkanes.
- Solubility: Decreases as the number of carbon atoms increases.
Common Alcohols
- Methanol: CH₃OH
- Ethanol: CH₃CH₂OH
Ethanol Production
- Natural: C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2CH₃CH₂OH + 2CO₂
- Artificial: CH₂=CH₂ + H₂O → CH₃CH₂OH
Chemical Properties of Alcohols
Alcohols undergo oxidation reactions that distinguish primary, secondary, and tertiary structures:
- Primary Alcohols: Oxidize to form aldehydes (e.g., CH₃CH₂OH + ½O₂ → CH₃CHO + H₂O).
- Secondary Alcohols: Oxidize to form ketones (e.g., CH₃-CHOH-CH₃ + O₂ → CH₃-CO-CH₃ + H₂O).
- Tertiary Alcohols: