Alcohols Menu

Alcohols

Background . . .: An introduction to the alcohols and their physical properties.
The manufacture of alcohols . . .: The manufacture of alcohols from alkenes, and the production of ethanol by fermentation.
Dehydrating alcohols to make alkenes . . .: Various lab methods of converting alcohols into alkenes.
The reaction between alcohols and sodium . . .: Details of the reaction, and some simple properties of the alkoxide ions formed.
Replacing the OH group by halogen atoms . . .: The reactions between alcohols and phosphorus halides (such as phosphorus(V) chloride) or sulphur dichloride oxide (thionyl chloride), and mixtures such as sodium bromide and concentrated sulphuric acid. Includes testing for the OH group using PCl₅.
The oxidation of alcohols . . .: The oxidation of alcohols using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution, and its use in making aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids. Using the reaction as a test for primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.
Making esters from alcohols . . .: Mainly the reaction between alcohols and carboxylic acids to produce esters, together at a brief look at making esters from the reactions between alcohols and acyl chlorides or acid anhydrides.
The triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction . . .: The use of this reaction to detect the presence of the CH₃CH(OH) group in alcohols.
Uses of alcohols . . .: Concentrates on ethanol and methanol, but with some mention of propan-2-ol.