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Alcohol
Alcohol is a simple organic compound which is defined by an (-OH) group. This Oxygen
Hydrogen molecule is called a ‘hydroxyl group’ and are found bonded to carbon chains.
The (-OH) molecule is known as the functional group.
Functional Group
Alcohol is a colourless and volatile compound which has a mild odour. The formula for all
alcohol is CnH2n+1OH. Each different class of alcohol has varying characteristics.
The one thing that does not change is that they all contain the vital (-OH) functional group.
In relation to other comparable hydrocarbons and ethers alcohols tend to have a higher
boiling point. Alcohols are also very reactive hydrocarbons, which when they do react
undergo oxidation and form aldehydes, ketones or carboxylic acids. They can also be
dehydrated to from alkenes.
The most complex characteristic of alcohol is its solubility in water. Because of the polarity
created by its functional group it is able to dissolve in water. However the carbon chains
resist solubility, therefore as the number of carbon atoms increases in larger molecules the
alcohols solubility becomes less. This means that alcohols pentanol or higher is not soluble
in water.
The naming process of alcohols varies depending on what system is used. The International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has a specific process for the naming
alcohol.
1) Use root name (eg. 3 = propane)
2) Infix numerical bonding position (eg, 2 = second carbon)
3) Drop ‘e’ and replace with ‘ol’
- Use suffix diol, triol, tetraol, ect… for multiple OH groups (sometimes plain
numbers are used)
Eg. CH3CH2CH2OH is propan-1-ol
Eg. CH3 (2CHOH) CH3 Butane-2, 3-diol
There are also three subset alcohol groups. These are:
– Primary Alcohols – (propanol)
• CH3CH3CH2OH
– Secondary groups – (isopropyl alcohol)
• CH3CHOH CH3
– Tertiary – (tert-propyl alcohol)
• CH3CH3COH CH3
Alcohol is produced mainly through a process called fermentation. This is the process by
which yeast converts sugar into alcohol, but is also a general term for the conversion of
carbohydrates into alcohols or acids.
Uses of Alcohol
Alcohol has many functional applications.
• Solvents – Because alcohol dissolves
substances it can be used as a solvent
for cleaning purposes.
• Propellants – used to pressurise spray
cans such as deodorant or perfume.
• Fuels – alternative to fossil fuels in
places that these are not easily or
practically available.
• Chemical storage – because of alcohols
chemical character of solubility it can
dissolve some dangerous chemicals and
used as a storage method.
• Consume it  - Get drunk (only
ethanol) Alcohol is effectively a poison.
consuming too much is ethanol deadly,
and consuming other alcohols is very
dangerous. Even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness.
References:
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol
http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/alcoholandyou/Facts/uses.html
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
http://www.docbrown.info/page06/FunctionalGroups.htm