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3.5 Alcohols

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

What is the functional group of an alcohol ?

Back (Answer)

Hydroxide (OH-)

#2
Front (Question)

What is the general formula of an alcohol ?

Back (Answer)

CnH2n+1OH

#3
Front (Question)

What kind of intermolecular forces do alcohols have ?

Back (Answer)

• Van der waals • Hydrogen bonds (OH)

#4
Front (Question)

How do alcohols mp and bp compare do other hydrocarbons ?

Back (Answer)

Higher, as alcohols have Hydrogen bonding whereas other molecules like alkanes do not

#5
Front (Question)

Are alcohols soluble in water ? Why does solubility depend on chain length ?

Back (Answer)

• Short chains are soluble as the OH has slight charges • Long chains are insoluble as the non polar C-H take priority.

#6
Front (Question)

What makes an alcohol primary ?

Back (Answer)

When the carbon that contains the OH group is only bonded to one other carbon.

#7
Front (Question)

What makes an alcohol secondary ?

Back (Answer)

When the carbon containing the OH group is bonded to two other carbons.

#8
Front (Question)

What makes an alcohol tertiary ?

Back (Answer)

When the carbon containing the OH group is bonded to 3 other carbons.

#9
Front (Question)

How can ethanol be made from a product of crude oil fractionation ?

Back (Answer)

Hydration of ethene via electrophilic addition (H2PO4 catalyst).

#10
Front (Question)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of producing ethanol via hydration of ethene ?

Back (Answer)

Advantages - fast, continuous process with high yield purity Disadvantages - non renewable as ethene is obtained from crude oil.

#11
Front (Question)

How can ethanol be made from fermentation ?

Back (Answer)

Plant carbohydrates are broken down and fermented by enzymes in yeast -> ethanol.

#12
Front (Question)

What conditions are needed for fermentation of plant carbohydrates to take place

Back (Answer)

• Enzymes in yeast as a catalyst • 35 degrees C • anaerobic conditions.

#13
Front (Question)

Write an equation for the fermentation of glucose

Back (Answer)

C6H12O6 (aq) -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2.

#14
Front (Question)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining ethanol from fermentation ?

Back (Answer)

Advantages - renewable Disadvantages - slow, batch process, enzymes denature at low alcohol conc so is not pure and requires distilling.

#15
Front (Question)

Define carbon neutral

Back (Answer)

No net CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

#16
Front (Question)

Explain why the combustion of ethanol as a fuel is described as neutral ?

Back (Answer)

As the CO2 released in fermentation and combustion is the same as what is taken in during photosynthesis.

#17
Front (Question)

Why, in actuality, is using fermented ethanol as a fuel not carbon neutral ?

Back (Answer)

As other costs, such as that of transport, affect neutrality.

#18
Front (Question)

What an equation for the combustion of ethanol.

Back (Answer)

C2H5OH + 3O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O

#19
Front (Question)

What is an elimination reaction ?

Back (Answer)

The removal of a smaller molecule from a larger one.

#20
Front (Question)

What group leaves the parent molecule in elimination reactions of alcohols ?

Back (Answer)

The OH and a H to form water

#21
Front (Question)

What physical conditions are needed for the elimination reactions of alcohols to alkenes ?

Back (Answer)

Excess hot concentrated sulphuric acid or pass over hot aluminium oxide.

#22
Front (Question)

Describe the mechanism for the dehydration of ethanol

Back (Answer)

#23
Front (Question)

Describe a method for dehydration of ethanol in a lab

Back (Answer)

Ethanol is heated with an excess of concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature of 170°C, all in a boiling tube

#24
Front (Question)

What forms if you partially oxidise an alcohol ?

Back (Answer)

An aldehyde.