- Functional group: -OH (hydroxyl group)
- General formula: CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH
- First four: Methanol (CH₃OH), Ethanol (C₂H₅OH), Propanol (C₃H₇OH), Butanol (C₄H₉OH)
- Solubility: Short alcohols dissolve in water — the -OH group forms strong attractions with water molecules
- Fermentation: Glucose + yeast → ethanol + CO₂ (renewable, slow)
- Hydration: Ethene + steam → ethanol (industrial, fast, H₃PO₄ catalyst)
- Combustion: Burns cleanly to give CO₂ + H₂O
- Oxidation: Alcohols → carboxylic acids
This key facts covers Key Facts Summary within Alcohols for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Alcohols in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 8 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Alcohols
What is the functional group present in all alcohols?
Explain what happens when ethanol reacts with sodium metal. Include a balanced equation in your answer.
Quick recall flashcards
What is hydration of ethene?
Adding water to ethene to produce ethanol: C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH
What are alcohols?
Organic compounds containing the -OH hydroxyl functional group