Alcohols
– contain Hydroxyl group (OH) – suffix ol or hydroxy if a higher priority group is present- Diols contain two hydroxyl groups. * Geminal: 2 Hydroxyl groups on the same carbon* Vicinal: on adjacent carbons
Alcohols are a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a carbon atom. They are named by replacing the -e suffix of the parent hydrocarbon with -ol. For example, CH3CH2OH is ethanol.
Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon with the hydroxyl group. Primary alcohols have one, secondary alcohols have two, and tertiary alcohols have three.
Alcohols have a wide range of properties and applications. They can be used as solvents for various substances, as fuel for internal combustion engines, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, and in the production of alcoholic beverages.
Alcohols can be prepared by numerous methods, including fermentation of sugars, hydration of alkenes, and reduction of carbonyl compounds. They can also be oxidized to produce aldehydes or carboxylic acids.
One important property of alcohols is their ability to undergo dehydration to form alkenes. This reaction can be catalyzed by acids or high temperatures.
Alcohols also have unique physical properties, such as their high boiling points, which are a result of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between alcohol molecules.
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