carbon compound [part 5]
SPM Form 5 – Terminology and Concepts: Carbon Compounds (Part 5)
Non-Hydrocarbon – Alcohol
1. General formula: CnH2n-1OH
- Where n = 1, 2, 3 … (n = number of carbon)
2. Alcohols are non-hydrocarbons which contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 3. The functional group in alcohols is hydroxyl group, – OH.
Name of alcohol | Molecular formula of alcohol |
Methanol | CH3OH |
Ethanol | C2H3OH |
Propanol / Propan-1-ol | C3H5OH |
Butanol / Butan-1-ol | C4H7OH |
Pentanol / Pentan-1-ol | C5H9OH |
Hexanol / Hexan-1-ol | C6H11OH |
Heptanol / Heptan-1-ol | C7H13OH |
Octanol / Octan-1-ol | C8H15OH |
Nonanol / Nonan-1-ol | C9H17OH |
Decanol / Decan-1-ol | C10H19OH |
4. Physical properties of alcohol
Name | Molecular formula | Melting point (°C) | Boiling point (°C) | Physical state at 25°C |
Methanol | CH3OH | -97 | 65 | Liquid |
Ethanol | C2H3OH | -117 | 78 | Liquid |
Propanol | C3H5OH | -127 | 97 | Liquid |
Butanol | C4H7OH | -90 | 118 | Liquid |
Pentanol | C5H9OH | -79 | 138 | Liquid |
- Solubility in water – all members in alcohol are very soluble in water (miscible with water).
- Volatility – all alcohols are highly volatile.
- Colour and Smell – alcohols are colourless liquid and have sharp smell.
- Boiling and melting points – all alcohols in general have low boiling points (78°C).
5. Chemical properties of alcohol
- Combustion of alcohol Complete combustion of alcohol. C2H5OH + 3O2 –> 2CO2 + 3H2O (Alcohol burns with clean blue flames. Alcohol burns plenty of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This reaction releases a lot of heat. Therefore, it is a clean fuel as it does not pollute the air.) Other example: 2C3H7OH + 9O2 –> 6CO2 + 8H2O
- Oxidation of ethanol In the laboratory, two common oxidising agents are used for the oxidation of ethanol which are acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution (orange to green) and acidified potassium manganate(VII) solution (purple to colourless). C2H5OH + 2[O] –> CH3COOH + H2O Ethanol oxidised to ethanoic acid (a member of the homologous series of carboxylic acids – will be discussed in Part 6). Other example: C3H7OH + 2[O] –> C2H5COOH + H2O
- Removal of water (Dehydration) Alcohol can change to alkene by removal of water molecules (dehydration). It results in the formation of a C=C double bond. CnH2n+1OH –> CnH2n + H2O C2H5OH –> C2H4 + H2O Two methods are being used to carry out a dehydration in the laboratory. a) Ethanol vapour is passed over a heated catalyst such as aluminium oxide, unglazed porcelain chips, pumice stone or porous pot. b) Ethanol is heated under reflux at 180°C with excess concentrated sulphuric acid, H2SO4. Other example: C3H7OH –> C3H6 + H2O
6. Uses of Alcohol
- Alcohol as a solvent (cosmetics, toiletries, thinners, varnishes, perfumes).
- Alcohol as a fuel (fuel for racing car, clean fuel, alternative fuel).
- Alcohol as a source of chemicals (polymer, explosives, vinegar, fiber).
- Alcohol as a source of medical product (antiseptics for skin disinfection, rubbing alcohol).
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