Alcohol Chemistry Quiz

A carbon atom bonded to one or more other carbon atoms has an oxidation state of zero.

A carbon atom bonded to hydrogen or a less electronegative element has an oxidation state of -1.

A carbon atom bonded to a more electronegative element has an oxidation state of +1.

A compound containing a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon.

Alcohols with the -OH group attached to a primary carbon.

Alcohols with the -OH group attached to a secondary carbon.

Alcohols with the -OH group attached to a tertiary carbon.

The higher boiling points of alcohols compared to alkanes and alkenes are due to hydrogen bonding between the -OH groups.

The formation of an alkoxide involves the reaction of an alcohol with a strong base, such as sodium hydride (NaH), to remove the acidic proton from the hydroxyl group.

The reactivity of alcohols decreases as the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group increases. This is because the electron-donating effect of alkyl groups stabilizes the alkoxide intermediate, making it less reactive.

Pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) is a mild oxidizing agent that can oxidize primary alcohols to aldehydes and secondary alcohols to ketones. It stops at the aldehyde stage without further oxidation to the carboxylic acid.

Chromic acid (H2CrO4) and potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) are strong oxidizing agents that can oxidize primary alcohols to carboxylic acids and secondary alcohols to ketones. They can also oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids.

Tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation reactions with chromic acid or potassium dichromate. This is because the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group is already fully substituted and cannot be further oxidized.

A reaction where a hydroxyl group (-OH) is removed from an alcohol molecule, resulting in the formation of an alkene. This is a form of elimination reaction.

A type of dehydration reaction that follows E1 mechanism. In this case, the hydroxyl group leaves to form a carbocation intermediate, which then loses a proton to form an alkene. This reaction often involves rearrangement of the carbocation to achieve greater stability.

A type of dehydration reaction that follows E2 mechanism. In this case, the hydroxyl group leaves simultaneously with a proton from an adjacent carbon atom, forming the alkene directly. This reaction is typically favored under strong basic conditions.

A process where the hydroxyl group (-OH) in an alcohol is replaced by a halogen atom (Cl, Br, or I). Typically occurs via SN1 or SN2 mechanisms.

A type of halogen substitution that follows SN1 mechanism. The hydroxyl group leaves first to form a carbocation intermediate, which then reacts with a halide nucleophile to form the halogenoalkane. Primary alcohols are not suitable for this reaction.

A type of halogen substitution that follows SN2 mechanism. The hydroxyl group is replaced by halogen directly in a single step. This reaction is typically favoured for primary alcohols and is not feasible for tertiary alcohols.

A derivative of an alcohol where the hydroxyl group is replaced by a tosylate group (-OSO2CH3). Often used to prepare alkyl halides or other derivatives through reactions with nucleophiles.

A mechanism where a hydroxyl group is replaced by a tosylate group via a reaction with tosyl chloride (TsCl) in presence of a base like pyridine. This reaction is important for preparing alcohols for further reactions.

A reaction where a 1,2-diol is oxidized by periodic acid (HIO4) to form two carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones), breaking the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl groups.

A reaction where a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and water. This reaction is reversible and requires an acid catalyst.

A reaction where an acid chloride reacts with an alcohol in the presence of a base (like NaOH) to form an ester and a salt.

The process of converting alkyl halides (R-X) into alcohols using various reagents, including Grignard reagents or simple reactions.

A reaction where an alcohol is oxidized to an aldehyde or ketone using a strong oxidizing agent like potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

Ketones and tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized because they lack a hydrogen atom directly attached to the carbon bearing the functional group. Oxidation requires the removal of a hydrogen atom, which is not possible in these structures.

The reaction of a tertiary alcohol with HBr results in the formation of a tertiary alkyl bromide.

The reaction of an alcohol with POCl3 and pyridine forms an alkyl chloride. The primary alcohol reacts to generate a primary alkyl chloride. The secondary alcohol reacts to generate a secondary alkyl chloride.

The reaction of a primary alcohol with PCC forms an aldehyde in high yield. The reaction of a secondary alcohol with PCC forms a ketone in high yield.

The relative reactivity of alcohols in forming alkoxides follows the order of primary > secondary > tertiary. This trend is due to the increasing steric hindrance around the hydroxyl group in the order of primary < secondary < tertiary alcohols, making it more difficult for the base to access the hydroxyl group.

The reaction of a primary alcohol with HBr forms a primary alkyl bromide. The reaction of a secondary alcohol with HBr forms a secondary alkyl bromide.

The reaction of an alcohol with an ether in the presence of an acid catalyst leads to the formation of an acetal. The reaction of a ketone with an ether in the presence of an acid catalyst leads to the formation of a ketal.

A thiol is an organic compound containing a sulfhydryl group (-SH). The name of the group attached to the -SH followed by the word thiol forms the name of the thiol. For example, CH3SH is methanethiol and CH3CH2SH is ethanethiol.

The process of adding oxygen to a molecule or removing hydrogen from a molecule

The process of adding oxygen to a sulfide, increasing the oxidation state of sulfur. It can occur in a stepwise manner, resulting in a sulfoxide or sulfone.

A compound containing a sulfur atom bonded to an oxygen atom. It is often formed as an intermediate in the oxidation of sulfides.

A compound containing a sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is formed by further oxidation of a sulfoxide.

The process of replacing a hydrogen atom with a methyl group (CH3) in a molecule

A reaction where a nucleophile attacks an electrophilic carbon atom, leading to the displacement of a leaving group.

A positively charged sulfur atom bonded to three alkyl groups. It is often formed as an intermediate in methylation reactions.

A compound containing a sulfur atom bonded to two alkyl groups and a methyl group. It is often used as a reagent in methylation reactions.