Chem31.

1: Alcohols and Phenols

An alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom, usually connected to other carbon or hydrogen atoms. An important class is the simple acyclic alcohols, the general formula for which is CnH2n+1OH. Of those, ethanol (C2H5OH) is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, and in common speech the word alcohol refers specifically to ethanol.

Phenols, sometimes called phenolics, are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. The simplest of the class is phenol (C6H5OH). Although similar to alcohols, phenols have unique properties and are not classified as alcohols (since the hydroxyl group is not bonded to a saturated carbon atom). They have higher acidities due to the aromatic ring's tight coupling with the oxygen and a relatively loose bond between the oxygen and hydrogen. The acidity of the hydroxyl group in phenols is commonly intermediate between that of aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids.

TEST Na+ Test

REAGENTS Na Metal

(+) RESULTS Evolution of H2 gas

Lucas Test

ZnCl2 in HCl

Formation of an insoluble layer (RX)

Oxidation

K2Cr2O7 or KMnO4 in H2SO4 3% FeCl3 Br2 in H2O Hg(NO3)2 in H2O

Change in color of solution due to change in oxidation state of metal Formation of colored ferric-phenol complexes Formation of precipitates; mono, di, tribromophenols Formation of colored Hg-nitrophenol complexes

FeCl3 Bromine Water Test Millons Test

(+) FOR Alcohols 1o Fastest; 2o Fast; 3o Slowest Alcohols 1o NO RXN; 2o Relatively Fast; 3o Fastest Alcohols 1o RCOOH; 2o Ketones; 3o NO RXN Phenols Phenols Phenolic Groups Tyrosine in Proteins

Chem31.1

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