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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