Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon. The alcohols get their name from the elements in the alkyl group such as:
-Methanol (CH3OH)
-Ethanol (CH3CH2OH),
-Isopropyl alcohol (propanol) (CH3CHOHCH3)
There are many different kinds of alcohols, but what they all have in common is that –OH group. The size of a certain alcohol molecule is what differentiates it from the rest, for example, decanol (CH3(CH2)9OH. Decanol is a form of alcohol that contains ten carbon atoms, twenty-two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Compare decanol to ethanol and you will drastically see the difference in molecular size.
Ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol are all alcohols, however they have different physical properties, such as having different melting points, boiling points, densities, specific gravities and molecular weights. On the other hand, they are all colorless liquids with the same mild odor, and all are highly flammable. All three of these alcohols are soluble in water per 100 grams of water. This may seem strange since one end is completely hydrophobic! Though, the other end contains an –OH group, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules, allowing these three alcohols to mix with water. For the other larger alcohols, the reason for them being immiscible is due to the large size of the hydrocarbon chain, which means that the hydrophobic chain is more dominant than the hydroxyl group and will not mix with water. Butanol is also a colorless alcohol and liquid at room temperature, but IS NOT miscible with water due to is larger hydrocarbon.
Alkoxide Reactions:
- Alcohols react with sodium metal to produce hydrogen gas
Methanol:
2Na(s) + 2CH3OH(l) --> 2CH3ONa(l) + H2(g)
Propanol:
2Na(s) + 2C3H7OH(l) --> 2C3H7ONa(l) + H2(g)
Butanol:
2Na(s) + 2C4H9OH(l) --> 2C4H9ONa(l) + H2(g)
Combustion Reactions:
Methanol:
2CH3OH(l) + 3O2(g) --> 2CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
Propanol:
2C3H7OH(l) + 9O2(g) --> 6CO2(g) + 8H2O(l)
Butanol:
C4H9OH(l) + 6O2(g) --> 4CO2(g) + 5H2O(l)
Functional isomers occur when substances have the same molecular formula but different functional groups. This occurs between alcohols and ethers. There are two possible functional isomers for C2H6O: methyl ether and ethanol, they have the same formula but different structures and different physical properties.
-Methanol (CH3OH)
-Ethanol (CH3CH2OH),
-Isopropyl alcohol (propanol) (CH3CHOHCH3)
There are many different kinds of alcohols, but what they all have in common is that –OH group. The size of a certain alcohol molecule is what differentiates it from the rest, for example, decanol (CH3(CH2)9OH. Decanol is a form of alcohol that contains ten carbon atoms, twenty-two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Compare decanol to ethanol and you will drastically see the difference in molecular size.
Ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol are all alcohols, however they have different physical properties, such as having different melting points, boiling points, densities, specific gravities and molecular weights. On the other hand, they are all colorless liquids with the same mild odor, and all are highly flammable. All three of these alcohols are soluble in water per 100 grams of water. This may seem strange since one end is completely hydrophobic! Though, the other end contains an –OH group, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules, allowing these three alcohols to mix with water. For the other larger alcohols, the reason for them being immiscible is due to the large size of the hydrocarbon chain, which means that the hydrophobic chain is more dominant than the hydroxyl group and will not mix with water. Butanol is also a colorless alcohol and liquid at room temperature, but IS NOT miscible with water due to is larger hydrocarbon.
Alkoxide Reactions:
- Alcohols react with sodium metal to produce hydrogen gas
Methanol:
2Na(s) + 2CH3OH(l) --> 2CH3ONa(l) + H2(g)
Propanol:
2Na(s) + 2C3H7OH(l) --> 2C3H7ONa(l) + H2(g)
Butanol:
2Na(s) + 2C4H9OH(l) --> 2C4H9ONa(l) + H2(g)
Combustion Reactions:
Methanol:
2CH3OH(l) + 3O2(g) --> 2CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)
Propanol:
2C3H7OH(l) + 9O2(g) --> 6CO2(g) + 8H2O(l)
Butanol:
C4H9OH(l) + 6O2(g) --> 4CO2(g) + 5H2O(l)
Functional isomers occur when substances have the same molecular formula but different functional groups. This occurs between alcohols and ethers. There are two possible functional isomers for C2H6O: methyl ether and ethanol, they have the same formula but different structures and different physical properties.
Butanol Molecule
http://faculty.lacitycollege.edu/boanta/LAB102/Organic%20Isomers.htm
http://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/2organic/alcohols.html
https://sites.google.com/site/chemistryolp/properties-of-alcohols
http://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/2organic/alcohols.html
https://sites.google.com/site/chemistryolp/properties-of-alcohols