Aromatic Alcohols and Their Properties

Study Notes

Action of Dry Heat:
- All three alcohols are flammable, but Glycerol burns with a smoky flame.
- All three alcohols evaporate when heated.
- There is no change in color or odor when they are heated.
- No residue is observed after heating.
Action of NaOH:
- No reaction occurs with cold or hot NaOH.
Action of Soda Lime:
- The text does not mention any reaction with soda lime.
Action of FeCl3:
- No reaction occurs with FeCl3.
Action of Concentrated H2SO4:
- Methanol and ethanol do not react with concentrated H2SO4.
- Glycerol reacts with concentrated H2SO4 to produce toxic fumes and charring.

Sodium Metal Test:
- All three alcohols react with Sodium metal, evolving Hydrogen gas.
- The reaction is represented by the general equation: 2R-OH + 2Na → 2R-O-Na + H2
- The reaction is a displacement reaction where the hydrogen in the -OH group gets replaced by sodium.
Esterification:
- Methanol: Reacts with Salicylic acid to produce Methylsalicylate (Vicks odor)
- Ethanol: Reacts with Acetic acid to produce Ethyl acetate (Fruity odor)
- Glycerol reacts with acids to form fixed esters.
Partial Oxidation:
- Methanol: Oxidized to Formaldehyde using a copper wire. Formaldehyde reacts with Schiff's reagent to give a Magenta red color.
- Ethanol: Oxidized to Acetaldehyde using a copper wire. Acetaldehyde also reacts with Schiff's reagent to give a Magenta red color.
- Glycerol does not react with Schiff's reagent.
Complete Oxidation:
- Methanol: Oxidized to Formic acid.
- Ethanol: Oxidized to Acetic acid.
- Glycerol does not undergo complete oxidation.

Preparation of Methylsalicylate:
- To prepare Methylsalicylate, mix 2 grams of Salicylic acid, 2 ml of Methanol, and 1 ml of Conc. H2SO4.
- Shake the mixture and heat for 1 minute.
- Pour the contents into a beaker containing 20 ml of Na2CO3 solution.
- The solution will have a Vicks odor.
Preparation of Ethyl acetate:
- To prepare Ethyl acetate, mix 1 ml of Acetic acid, 2 ml of Ethanol, and 1 ml of concentrated H2SO4.
- Shake the mixture, heat for 1 minute, and then pour into a beaker containing 20 ml of Na2CO3 solution.
- The solution will have a fruity odor.