1. Chapter 29 Alkanols 29.1 Introducing alkanols
29.2 Manufacture of ethanol
29.3 Uses of alkanols
29.4 Properties of alkanols
29.5 Alcohol power
29.6 Problems associated with alcoholic drinks
29.7 How much is one unit of alcohol?
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER 29

2. 29.1 INTRODUCING ALKANOLS WHAT ARE ALKANOLS?
Alkanols (or alcohols) are a homologous series of organic compounds with the general formula CnH2n+1OH or simply ROH. Their molecules consist of a functional group — the hydroxyl group (—OH) joined to an alkyl group (R—).
The two simplest alkanols are methanol and ethanol.
INTRODUCING ALKANOLS

3. INTRODUCING ALKANOLS

4. ETHANOL — THE MOST IMPORTANT ALKANOL
Figure 29.1
The two simplest alkanols.
ETHANOL — THE MOST IMPORTANT ALKANOL
Ethanol is the most important alkanol.
INTRODUCING ALKANOLS

5. 29.2 MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL
In general, industrial ethanol is formed from ethene, a petroleum product. Ethanol in alcoholic drinks is made from agricultural products by fermentation.
ETHANOL FROM CATALYTIC HYDRATION OF ETHENE
HEATER
REACTOR
(300oC, 65 atm, catalyst)
CONDENSER
a mixture of ethanol and water
ethene
steam
unreacted ethene and steam recirculated
Figure A flow diagram for ethanol manufacture by the catalytic hydration of ethene.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

6. ETHANOL FROM FERMENTATION OF STARCH OR SUGAR
The process produces a mixture of ethanol and water. Ethanol can be separated out by fractional distillation.
ETHANOL FROM FERMENTATION OF STARCH OR SUGAR
FERMENTATION is the slow breakdown of large organic molecules (e.g. starch) to smaller molecules (e.g. ethanol) by micro-organisms (e.g. yeast).
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

7. Apple Barley Rice Maize
Grape Wheat Potato
Apple Barley Rice Maize
Figure Some raw materials for fermentation.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

8. (a)
(b)
Figure 29.5
(a) Yeast is a living plant. It can supply enzymes for fermentation.
(b) Yeast under microscope. Note the oval-shaped cells.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

9. 2 —C6H10O5 — (s) + nH2O(l) nC12H22O11(aq) starch maltose
diastase
2 —C6H10O5 — (s) + nH2O(l) nC12H22O11(aq)
starch maltose
maltase
C12H22O11(aq) + H2O(l) 2C6H12O6(aq)
maltose water glucose
zymase
C6H12O6(aq) 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
glucose ethanol carbon dioxide
To produce beer, use barley (or maize) as the starch source.
[ ]n
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

10. (a)
(b)
Figure 29.6
(a) Brewing beer by the traditional method of fermentation.
(b) Brewing beer in a local brewery.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

11. The result of fermentation is a dilute (roughly 10%) solution of ethanol in water. The concentration of alcohol cannot be greater than 15%. At concentrations higher than this, the yeast dies and fermentation stops. We can increase the concentration of ethanol in the product by distillation.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

12. solution of glucose with yeast
limewater
short rubber tubing
Figure Fermentation of glucose in the laboratory.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

13. (a) The mixture in the flask smells of ethanol.
(b) The limewater can test for the carbon dioxide given out in the fermentation process. Besides, the arrangement serves as an air-lock to prevent oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid by air.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

14. To prepare ethanol by fermentation.
MANUFACTURE OF ETHANOL

15. 29.3 USES OF ALKANOLS ALKANOLS AS FUELS
Methanol and ethanol burn readily in air with a clean flame. In a few countries, ethanol (in a pure form or mixed with petrol) is used as a motor vehicle fuel.
USES OF ALKANOLS

16. Ethanol burns with a clean flame in a good supply of air. Figure 29.9
Ethanol is used as a motor vehicle fuel in Brazil.
USES OF ALKANOLS

17. Methylated spirit is the most widely used industrial alcohol
Methylated spirit is the most widely used industrial alcohol. Its main use is as a fuel.
Figure 29.10
Methylated spirit is the most widely used industrial alcohol.
USES OF ALKANOLS

18. ALKANOLS AS SOLVENTS
Alkanols are very good solvents. Ethanol is used as a solvent for cosmetics, perfumes and tincture of iodine. Methylated spirit is an industrial solvent for paints and dyes.
USES OF ALKANOLS

19. Figure 29.11 These products contain ethanol as the solvent.
USES OF ALKANOLS

20. ETHANOL IN ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
All alcoholic drinks contain ethanol to a greater or lesser extent.
Table 29.2
Starch/sugar source and approximate percentage volume of ethanol in some alcoholic drinks.
USES OF ALKANOLS

21. Figure 29.13
Beer and wine are produced by fermentation alone. Brandy has to be obtained by distillation of wine.
USES OF ALKANOLS

22. PRODUCTION OF VINEGAR
Vinegar is a dilute solution (~6%) of ethanoic acid. To make vinegar, add suitable micro-organisms to a dilute solution of ethanol. Then expose the mixture to air for one or two weeks. The following reaction occurs:
[O]
CH3CH2OH CH3COOH
from air
USES OF ALKANOLS

23. Figure 29.14
Ordinary vinegar is colourless. It may be brown due to a colouring matter added.
USES OF ALKANOLS

24. PRODUCTION OF ESTERS
Esters are usually pleasant-smelling liquid compounds. Each ester has its own characteristic sweet fruity smell. Many synthetic esters are used in cosmetics and artificial flavourings (added to food and drinks).
Esters are also good solvents for organic compounds.
USES OF ALKANOLS

25. Figure 29.15 Fruits contain natural esters.
USES OF ALKANOLS

26. Figure 29.16 Cosmetics contain synthetic esters.
USES OF ALKANOLS

27. Figure 29.17 Synthetic esters are often added to food and drinks as flavourings.
USES OF ALKANOLS

28. This nail varnish remover contains an ester.
Figure 29.18
This nail varnish remover contains an ester.
USES OF ALKANOLS

29. 29.4 PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS
WHAT INFLUENCE PROPERTIES?
An alkanol molecule can be represented as:
As the size of the alkyl group increases, there is a gradual change in physical properties.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

30. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS
Chemical properties of an alkanol are mainly due to the hydroxyl group.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS
Simple alkanols are liquids at room conditions. Melting point, boiling point and density increase steadily as the number of carbon atoms increases.
Solubility
The lower alkanols (methanol, ethanol, propan-l-ol and propan-2-ol) are miscible with water in all proportions. But as the number of carbon atoms increases, the solubility rapidly decreases.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

31. uniform mixture (water + ethanol)
insoluble
hexan-1-ol layer
water
uniform mixture (water + ethanol)
Figure 29.19
Different solubilities of ethanol and hexan-1-ol in water.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

32. This after-shave lotion contains ethanol.
Figure 29.20
This after-shave lotion contains ethanol.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

33. CH3CH2OH(l) + 3O2(g)  2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS
All alkanols are non-electrolytes. They are neutral (pH value = 7). Most of their properties are due to the —OH functional group.
A29.2
No; no.
Combustion
Alkanols burn readily in air to form carbon dioxide and water, giving a lot of heat. For example,
CH3CH2OH(l) + 3O2(g)  2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

34. Figure 29.21 Ethanol burns in air.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

35. Oxidation
Alkanols in the form of RCH2OH can be oxidized in two stages:
[O] [O]
e.g. CH3CH2OH CH3CHO CH3COOH
ethanol ethanal ethanoic acid
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

36. Figure 29.23 shows how the oxidation can be performed on a test-tube scale.
ethanol
acidified potassium dichromate solution
solution containing Cr3+(aq) ions
Figure Oxidizing ethanol with acidified potassium dichromate solution.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

37. Step 1: Heating the reaction mixture under reflux
In the laboratory, the above reaction is better carried out using Quickfit apparatus.
Step 1: Heating the reaction mixture under reflux
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

38. Figure 29.24 Oxidizing ethanol to ethanoic acid by heating under reflux.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

39. Step 2: Distilling the product mixture
Figure Distilling ethanoic acid from the product mixture.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

40. Oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid by acidified potassium dichromate solution.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

41. A29.3
Ethanol in wine is slowly oxidized in air by the action of micro-organisms. It is changed to ethanoic acid, which is sour. On the other hand, brandy has an ethanol content much higher than wine. Micro-organisms cannot function in such a high ethanol concentration.
Esterification
ESTERIFICATION is the reversible reaction of an alkanoic acid with an alkanol to form an ester and water.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

42. 29.4 PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

43. Take an example: Figure 29.28
Reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol (in the presence of a little concentrated sulphuric acid) to form ethyl ethanoate.
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

44. A29.4
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

45. Naming of esters For example, methyl propanoate
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

46. A29.5
PROPERTIES OF ALKANOLS

47. 29.5 ALCOHOL POWER ALCOHOL POWER FROM CROPS
Crops can be fermented and distilled to produce ethanol.
ETHANOL AS A FUEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Sugar cane is a fast-growing tropical plant. The sugar it provides can be fermented to make ethanol.
Brazil is a country that extensively uses ethanol as a fuel for motor vehicles. Most vehicles use gasohol. Gasohol is a mixture of petrol (78%) and ethanol (22%).
ALCOHOL POWER

48. Figure 29.30
Sugar cane farm.
ALCOHOL POWER

49. Figure 29.31 Making ethanol fuel from sugar cane.
ALCOHOL POWER

50. For the affirmative side:
Activity 6
For the affirmative side:
 Ethanol burns to form carbon dioxide and water only, so it is a cleaner fuel than petrol.
 Ethanol has a higher octane number (a measure of anti-knock characteristics) than ordinary petrol.
 Ethanol can be produced from the fermentation of various crops (e.g. cane sugar), which are renewable energy sources. (But petrol is a non-renewable fuel.)
ALCOHOL POWER

51.  In some places (e.g. Brazil), ethanol is much cheaper than petrol.
 Ethanol is easy to transport within and between nations.
 A petrol engine would take 10% ethanol in the petrol without any carburetor adjustments. Even engines specially designed to run on pure ethanol are only slightly more expensive than ordinary engines.
ALCOHOL POWER

52.  The calorific value of ethanol is only 60% that of petrol.
For the negative side:
 The calorific value of ethanol is only 60% that of petrol.
 Ethanol has different burning characteristics compared with petrol. As a result, car engines need to be modified or specially designed before pure ethanol can be used.
 The above two points may have serious economic implications.
 In many places, ethanol is even more expensive than petrol.
 Ethanol can be reserved for other purposes, e.g. alcoholic drinks, solvents and making chemicals.
 Poisonous effluents from distilleries may cause pollution to nearby rivers.
ALCOHOL POWER

53. . A little ethanal is produced on burning ethanol
 A little ethanal is produced on burning ethanol. Ethanal is toxic, causing damage to the skin, eyes and lungs and harming vegetation.
 Huge areas of arable land would have to be cultivated to produce ethanol, at the expense of other agricultural uses. Besides, land disturbance is high and soil erosion is increased.
ALCOHOL POWER

54. 29.6 PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Most alkanols are poisonous. The first member of the series, methanol, is very toxic.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

55. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL?
Figure 29.32
Methanol is toxic!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL?
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

56. How alcohol goes around the body.
Figure 29.34
How alcohol goes around the body.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

57. PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Alcohol is removed from the blood mainly by action of the liver.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Alcohol can suppress feelings of fear and tension, making people feel relaxed. Excessive drinking would be harmful.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Drinking affects the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC is the mass of alcohol (in mg) present in 100 cm3 of blood.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

58. Typical physiological effects at various blood alcohol concentrations.
Table 29.3
Typical physiological effects at various blood alcohol concentrations.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

59. HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DRINKING
Excessive drinking over a number of years can cause many health problems:
 hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
 cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
 brain damage
 depression, forgetfulness and other
psychiatric and emotional disorders
 problems with the nervous system
 high blood pressure
alcohol increases the workload of the liver and kills liver cells
alcohol can destroy brain cells, and dead brain cells cannot be renewed
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

60.  stomach ulcer (alcohol irritates stomach linings)
 vitamin deficiency
 muscle disease
 cancer of the mouth, throat and gullet
 body weight problem
A29.6
Alcohol in a pregnant woman‘s blood can pass into the blood of the unborn baby, causing much harm.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

61. SOCIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL
Social problems with alcoholics
Besides having bad health, alcoholics often have family and social problems.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

62. An alcoholic sleeping in the street.
Figure 29.35
An alcoholic sleeping in the street.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

63. Drinking and driving
Alcohol is one of the main causes of traffic accidents.
Figure 29.36
Drinking and driving don’t mix.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

64. A scene of a car accident.
Figure 29.37
A scene of a car accident.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

65. Figure 29.38
One type of breathalyser tube contains potassium dichromate. Its colour changes from orange to green with ethanol.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

66. Students may be divided into 3 groups:
Activity 7
Students may be divided into 3 groups:
 One works on the physiological effects of alcoholic drinks;
 One works on the health problems associated with excessive drinking;
 One works on the social problems associated with excessive drinking.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

67. (a) On physiological effect:
Some useful guiding questions for the library search and subsequent discussion:
(a) On physiological effect:
(1) What is the constituent in wine that causes the physiological effects?
(2) How does the body cope with the intake of wine?
(3) Which parts of the body or organs are affected by drinking wine?
(4) What are the symptoms of excessive drinking?
(5) How are the symptoms/effects changed with the amount of wine drunk?
(6) Does excessive drinking cause addiction?
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

68. (2) What are the diseases likely to be induced by excessive drinking?
(b) On health problem:
(1) Which parts of the body or organs would be damaged by excessive drinking?
(2) What are the diseases likely to be induced by excessive drinking?
(3) What are the bad effects of excessive drinking on a pregnant woman?
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

69. (1) How does excessive drinking affect our society on the aspects of
(c) On social problem:
(1) How does excessive drinking affect our society on the aspects of
(i) family relationship
(ii) law and order
(iii) economy?
(2) Do you think that the problem is serious in Hong Kong?
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

70. Some additional information:
 The life expectancy of heavy drinkers is estimated to be 10 – 12 years shorter than the general public.
 Children of alcoholics are 3 – 4 times more likely to become alcoholics.
 In the U.S.A., about 15% of the people suffer from desertion, divorce, impoverishment or child displacement due to alcoholism.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

71. SUMMARY
1. Alkanols (or alcohols) are a homologous series of organic compounds with the general formula CnH2n+1OH.
2. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is the most important alkanol.
3. Ethanol can be manufactured by the catalytic hydration of ethene:
SUMMARY

72. 6. General uses of lower alkanols:  As fuels  As solvents
4. Ethanol in alcoholic drinks is made from starch/sugars by fermentation. The reaction is catalysed by enzymes in yeast.
5. Fermentation is the slow breakdown of large organic molecules (e.g. starch) to smaller molecules (e.g. ethanol) by micro-organisms (e.g. yeast).
6. General uses of lower alkanols:
 As fuels
 As solvents
 Production of esters
In addition, ethanol
 is present in all alcoholic drinks
 can be oxidized to produce vinegar
SUMMARY

73. 7. Chemical properties of an alkanol are mainly due to the — OH functional group.
8. Ethanol can be oxidized first to ethanal and then to ethanoic acid in the laboratory. The oxidizing agent commonly used is acidified potassium dichromate solution.
9. Esterification is the reversible reaction of an alkanoic acid with an alkanol to form an ester and water.
SUMMARY

74. 12. Excessive drinking causes many health and social problems.
10. Esters have the general formula RCOOR’. Lower esters are liquids with pleasant sweet fruity smell. They are often used in flavourings and solvents.
11. Ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles in some countries (e.g. Brazil, USA). Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than petrol. It is also a renewable energy source.
12. Excessive drinking causes many health and social problems.
13. Drink driving is very dangerous.
SUMMARY