Download IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols

IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
Inside alcohols
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
 Ethanol is a compound of
carbon, so it is an organic
compound.
 Its molecules include the
reactive –OH group.
 A reactive group of atoms
in an organic molecule is
called a functional group.
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
 Ethanol is not the only alcohol. It is a member of the
homologous series of alcohols.
 The compounds of a homologous series have the
same functional group, but a different number of
carbon atoms.
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
This table shows the first three members of the
homologous series of alcohols.
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IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
Ethanol is used as a solvent
in many:
• perfumes and deodorants
• medicines
• marker pens
• food flavourings.
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IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
This is methanol. It is also a useful solvent.
Methanol and ethanol dissolve well in water.
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
Methanol and ethanol dissolve in water because their –OH group
is similar to water, so alcohol and water molecules mix easily.
Solutions of alcohols with water are neutral – their pH is 7.
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
Hexanol is another member of the alcohol family.
How many carbon atoms do you think it has in its
molecule?
Hexanol has 6 carbon atoms – like a hexagon shape
has 6 sides.
© Oxford University Press 2011
IC3.28.4 Inside alcohols
If the molecular formula of methanol is CH3OH and of
ethanol is CH3CH2OH, what is the molecular formula
of hexanol?
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2OH
© Oxford University Press 2011