Lena Savoie
Alcohol is a type of organic compound that carries at least one hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group. Alcohols may be considered organic derivatives of water (H2O) in which a hydrogen atom has been replaced by an alkyl group. The two best-known alcohols are ethanol and methanol (or methyl alcohol). Ethanol is used in toiletries, pharmaceuticals, and fuels, and it is also used to sterilize hospital instruments. Methanol is used as a solvent, as a raw material for the manufacture of formaldehyde and special resins, in special fuels, in antifreeze, and for cleaning metals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A class of organic compounds with one or more hydroxyl groups attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group |
| Formula | C₂H₅OH (ethanol) |
| Derivatives | Organic derivatives of water (H₂O) in which a hydrogen atom has been replaced by an alkyl group |
| Types | Primary, secondary, tertiary |
| Examples | Ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, cyclohexanol |
| Uses | Sweeteners, perfumes, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, fuels, sterilizing hospital instruments, raw material for the manufacture of formaldehyde, special resins, antifreeze, cleaning metals, nylon production |
| Properties | Colourless liquids or solids at room temperature, flammable, hydrophilic, soluble in water (low molecular weight) |
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What You'll Learn
Ethanol
Production of ethanol through fermentation and distillation has evolved over centuries, and its chemical identification and synthetic production began in the 19th century. Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates, which involves the transformation of carbohydrates into ethanol by growing yeast cells. The chief raw materials used for the production of industrial alcohol include sugar crops such as beets and sugarcane, and grain crops such as corn.
Despite ethanol's psychoactive, addictive, and carcinogenic properties, it is readily available and legal for sale in many countries. It is important to note that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal in many places due to its impact on reaction time, vision, judgment, and coordination.
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Methanol
Small amounts of methanol are naturally present in healthy human individuals, and it can be metabolized from pectin found in fruits. Additionally, methanol is produced by anaerobic bacteria and phytoplankton and is found in abundant quantities in star-forming regions of space, making it a useful marker for astronomers.
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Isopropyl alcohol
More than a million tonnes of isopropyl alcohol are produced worldwide annually, with 1.5 million tonnes produced in the United States, Europe, and Japan in 1994.
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Cyclohexanol
Millions of tonnes of cyclohexanol are produced annually, primarily as a precursor to nylon. It is also used in the polymer industry as a precursor to various plasticizers. In addition, small amounts of cyclohexanol are used as a solvent. Cyclohexanol has at least two solid phases: one is a plastic crystal, and the other is a deliquescent colorless solid with a camphor-like odour, which melts near room temperature when very pure.
The toxicity of cyclohexanol is considered moderate. The Threshold Limit Value for the vapour over 8 hours is 50 ppm, while the IDLH concentration is set at 400 ppm based on studies of acute oral toxicity in animals. Cyclohexanol is also known to cause eye and skin irritation.
In summary, cyclohexanol is an important industrial compound with a variety of applications, particularly in the production of nylons and other polymers. While it is moderately toxic, it is still used in a range of commercial processes due to its unique properties and availability.
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Tertiary alcohols
Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary. Tertiary alcohols are those that feature a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to a carbon atom, which is, in turn, connected to three alkyl groups. The presence of this -OH group allows tertiary alcohols to form hydrogen bonds with their neighbouring atoms. The bonds formed are relatively weak, and this causes the boiling points of alcohols to be higher than those of their alkanes.
The physical properties of tertiary alcohols depend largely on their structure. Alcohols are generally colourless liquids, though they can also be solids at room temperature. Alcohols with lower molecular weights are highly soluble in water, and as their molecular weight increases, they become less soluble, and their vapour pressures, boiling points, densities, and viscosities increase.
Examples of tertiary alcohols include beverages that consist of 30–40% ethanol by volume. However, it is important to note that the complexity of the alkyl chain is not a factor in classifying an alcohol as tertiary.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol is a type of organic compound that carries at least one hydroxyl (―OH) group attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group.
Examples of alcohols include ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol.
Alcohols are commonly used as sweeteners, in perfumes, and in the synthesis of other compounds. They are also used in pharmaceuticals and as sterilizing agents in hospitals.
Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, depending on which carbon of the alkyl group is bonded to the hydroxyl group.
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