Noah Vinter
Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects people differently depending on factors such as gender and mood. It is important to understand the physical properties of alcohols and their reactivity, including their boiling points, polarity, and water-solubility. To determine whether a beverage contains alcohol, one can use a device like the Alco-Screen, which detects the presence of alcohol. In chemistry, there are qualitative chemical tests to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, such as Schiff's test, which involves observing colour changes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of carbons attached to OH | Primary: 1 carbon; Secondary: 2 carbons; Tertiary: 3 carbons; Methanol: 0 carbons and 3 hydrogens |
| Boiling point | Higher boiling point with more hydroxyl groups |
| Schiff's test | Primary: magenta; Secondary: trace of pink; Tertiary: no colour change |
| Physical properties | Polarised hydroxyl group; Oxygen is "greedier" for electrons than hydrogen |
| Effect on body | Depressant; Affects judgment and inhibitions; Slows reaction times; Causes loss of body heat |
| Standard drink | 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1-1/4 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits |
| Metabolisation | Liver metabolises alcohol at a constant rate of approximately one drink per hour |
| Factors affecting intoxication | Gender, mood, food in the stomach, amount of alcohol consumed, speed of consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Qualitative chemical tests
Sodium Metal Test
The Sodium Metal Test is a simple and safe procedure that can be conducted in a laboratory setting. It involves the reaction between sodium metal and alcohol, which releases hydrogen gas and forms an alkoxide salt. The ease of this reaction depends on the structure of the alcohol, with primary alcohols generally reacting faster than secondary or tertiary alcohols. The presence of hydrogen gas can be confirmed by introducing a lit splint into the test tube, which produces water vapour and a distinctive "pop" sound.
Lucas Test
The Lucas Test is used to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols based on the rate of reaction. It utilises zinc(II) chloride in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a reagent. When an alcohol is present, the Lucas reagent reacts with it, forming an insoluble product in aqueous solutions. Tertiary alcohols react immediately, forming a stable carbocation, while secondary alcohols react more slowly, and primary alcohols show no observable reaction at room temperature.
Iodoform Test
The Iodoform Test involves heating the compound with a sodium hydroxide solution and iodine. The formation of a yellow precipitate of iodoform indicates the presence of alcohol. This test is given by secondary alcohols, ketones, and acetaldehyde.
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test
The Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Test uses ceric ammonium nitrate reagent, which turns the solution red or pink upon adding alcohol. This test also produces brisk effervescence due to the release of hydrogen gas.
Chromic Acid Test
The Chromic Acid Test is used to distinguish between primary and secondary alcohols. It involves adding a few drops of the alcohol to a test tube containing an acidified potassium dichromate(VI) solution. When warmed in a hot water bath, the orange solution turns green for primary or secondary alcohols, while there is no colour change for tertiary alcohols.
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Carbon and hydrogen bonds
Alcohols are organic compounds that contain hydroxyl groups (OH) attached to a carbon atom. The hydroxyl group substitutes a hydrogen atom of an aliphatic carbon. In the case of alcohols, the hydrogen atom is linked to an oxygen atom. This oxygen atom brings with it extra electrons, increasing the molecule's ability to form hydrogen bonds.
Hydrogen bonding is a process that occurs between an electronegative atom, such as oxygen, and a hydrogen atom. The hydrogen bond is weaker than covalent or ionic bonds but stronger than van der Waals forces. Hydrogen bonding is responsible for the high boiling and melting points of substances that exhibit this type of bonding. In the case of ethanol, for example, its boiling point is higher than diethyl ether due to the presence of hydrogen bonds.
When mixing ethanol and water, the hydrogen bonds between the individual molecules of each substance must be broken. This process requires energy. However, new hydrogen bonds are formed between the water and ethanol molecules, releasing energy. The energy released during this process compensates for the energy required to break the original bonds.
The presence of hydrogen bonding in alcohols also influences their solubility in water. Small alcohols with shorter hydrocarbon chains are completely soluble in water. As the hydrocarbon chain length increases, the solubility decreases. This decrease in solubility is noticeable at four or more carbon atoms.
The O-H bond in alcohols is involved in several important chemical reactions, such as salt formation with acids and bases. Alcohols can also undergo hydrogen atom transfer reactions, specifically from α C-H bonds for C-alkylation. This process is influenced by the presence of O-H hydrogen bonding, which promotes the selective transfer of hydrogen atoms.
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Boiling points
The boiling point of a substance is a fundamental concept in chemistry, and it is essential to understanding the various transformations and characteristics of materials. It is the temperature at which a liquid's vapour pressure equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure, causing it to transform into vapour.
The boiling point of alcohol varies depending on the specific type of alcohol and the atmospheric pressure. For example, ethanol, the type commonly found in alcoholic beverages, has a boiling point of around 78°C (173°F) at atmospheric pressure. This relatively high boiling point is due to ethanol's polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds with water. Methanol, or wood alcohol, has a lower boiling point of 66°C (151°F), while isopropyl alcohol, often used as a disinfectant, boils at 80.3°C (177°F).
The boiling point of ethanol is particularly noteworthy because it is lower than that of water (100°C or 212°F). This difference in boiling points allows for the separation of ethanol and water through a process called distillation. However, it is important to note that distillation cannot completely separate the two substances. This is because ethanol and water form an azeotrope, a type of bond that cannot be easily broken by heat.
The boiling point of alcohol can be influenced by several factors. For instance, adding salt or sugar to an alcohol-water solution can alter its boiling point. Salt increases the boiling point, whereas sugar decreases it. This occurs because salt and sugar change the number of water molecules in the solution, affecting the ease with which vapour can escape. Additionally, impurities in a substance generally cause its boiling point to rise, a phenomenon known as boiling point elevation.
The hydroxyl group (OH) plays a crucial role in determining the boiling point of alcohols. The more exposed the hydroxyl group is, the more it can interact with other OH groups, resulting in a higher boiling point. This is why primary alcohols, such as 1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-propanol, tend to have higher boiling points than secondary or tertiary alcohols. The ability to form hydrogen bonds with water also contributes to the higher boiling points of certain alcohols. Alcohols with higher molecular weights tend to have lower water solubility due to the increased size of the hydrophobic hydrocarbon part of the molecule.
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Schiff's test
The Schiff's test is a chemical test used to detect the presence of aldehydes in a given analyte. It is also used to distinguish between primary and secondary alcohols.
To perform the test, a few drops of alcohol are added to a test tube containing a potassium dichromate(VI) solution acidified with dilute sulfuric acid. The tube is then warmed in a hot water bath. If the solution turns green, it indicates the presence of primary or secondary alcohols. To distinguish between the two, the Schiff's reagent is used.
The Schiff's reagent is a fuchsine dye that turns colourless when decolorized by passing sulfur dioxide through it. When a small amount of the alcohol being tested is added to the decolorized Schiff's reagent, the presence of a primary alcohol is indicated by a magenta or purple colour. This colour change is due to the formation of a complex compound. However, if there is no colour change or only a slight pink hue, it suggests that no primary alcohol is present, indicating a secondary alcohol. It is important to check the result promptly as leaving the solution too long can lead to colour changes in secondary alcohols as well.
The Schiff's test has been used in combination with the iodoform test for the quality assessment of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, particularly for the detection of methanol adulteration and the quantitative analysis of ethanol. The test involves the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, resulting in a bluish-purple solution that can be detected by the naked eye.
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Alcohol screening devices
Another ASD is the Breath Alcohol ✓ .02 Detection System, which uses a single-use disposable breath tube in conjunction with an electronic analyser to determine the presence of alcohol. The Alco-Screen 02TM is a saliva-alcohol screening device that functions similarly to the Alco-Screen, but it must be stored at temperatures below 27°C (80°F).
The AlcoMate, manufactured by Han International, is another device that uses replaceable semiconductor detectors. If the device needs to be recalibrated, a new calibrated detector can be installed. Other ASD manufacturers include Akers Biosciences, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp., BAC Solutions, B.E.S.T. Labs, Chematics, Express Diagnostics Int'l, Guth Laboratories, Lion Laboratories, OraSure Technologies, Tokai-Denshi, U.S. Alcohol Testing, and Verax Systems. These devices are approved by the US Department of Transportation for alcohol screening tests.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to test if a beverage contains alcohol is by using an Alco-Screen. When the Alco-Screen is dipped into a beverage that contains alcohol, the reagent pad turns a dark brown colour.
If you do not have access to special equipment, such as a breathalyser, you can rely on how the person looks and acts. Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects judgement and inhibitions while slowing reaction times. It also causes the small blood vessels on the surface of the skin to dilate, making the drinker feel warm, even though their body temperature is decreasing.
To determine if an alcohol is primary, secondary, or tertiary, examine the carbon attached to OH. If that carbon is attached to one carbon, the alcohol is primary; two, secondary; three, tertiary.
