alcohols
OH (names using suffix “-ol”), polar molecules, toxic
Alcohols are organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a carbon atom. They can be represented by the general formula R-OH, where R is the alkyl group. Methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, etc. are some of the most commonly known alcohols. They are useful in a variety of industrial and commercial applications such as solvents, fuels, antiseptics, and disinfectants.
Alcohols have unique properties because of their hydroxyl group. They are polar molecules, which means they can dissolve in water and similar polar solvents. Alcohols have relatively low boiling points, making them easy to distill for separation from other compounds. They can react with acids to form esters, which are commonly used in fragrances and flavorings. They can also be oxidized to form aldehydes or ketones, which are valuable in chemical synthesis.
Alcohols have important biological roles as well. Ethanol, for example, is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, and it can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the human body. Methanol is toxic and can cause blindness or death when ingested, but it is also used to make formaldehyde and other chemicals. Propanol and butanol are used as industrial solvents and also as fuel additives.
Overall, alcohols are versatile organic compounds with many industrial, commercial, and biological applications.
More Answers:
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Understanding Alkanes: Structure, Formula, and Applications as Fuels and Solvents