Properties of alcohol Starter: Draw a graph to compare the boiling points of alkanes and alcohols Keywords: Volatility, solubility, hydrogen bonding
AlkaneMolecular massBoiling point AlcoholMolecular massBoiling point
Learning Objectives A Explain, in terms of hydrogen bonding, the water solubility and the relatively low volatility of alcohols B Describe the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols C Classify alcohols into primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols
Physical properties Physical properties of alcohols are influenced by their ability to form H-bonds between the O-H group and neighbouring molecules Hydrogen bonding between ethanol molecules
Relatively high melting and boiling points is due to the presence of H-bonds between alcohol molecules H-bonds in alcohol molecules also results in alcohols having lower volatility than alkanes of a similar mass (observing boiling points)
Solubility Alcohols dissolve in water because H bonds form with the O-H functional groups Solubility decreases as the chain length increases
Classification of alcohols
Plenary Questions pg 151