Organic ChemistryDeep Dive

Reactions of Alcohols

Part of Alcohols · GCSE GCSE Chemistry revision

This deep dive covers Reactions of Alcohols 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 6 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 6 of 13

Practice

22 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

⚗️ Reactions of Alcohols

1. Complete Combustion (Clean Burning)

C₂H₅OH(l) + 3O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(l)
Exothermic — burns with a clean, almost colourless flame

2. Oxidation to Carboxylic Acids

C₂H₅OH + 2[O] → CH₃COOH + H₂O
Using oxidising agents; this is what happens when wine turns to vinegar

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Alcohols. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Fermentation vs Hydration Comparison Key Definitions One Group That Changes Everything The Alcohol Family Structure

Practice Questions for Alcohols

What is the functional group present in all alcohols?

A. -COOH (carboxyl group)
B. C=C (carbon-carbon double bond)
C. C=O (carbonyl group)
D. -OH (hydroxyl group)

1 markfoundation

Explain what happens when ethanol reacts with sodium metal. Include a balanced equation in your answer.

3 marksstandard

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

22 questions on Alcohols — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 15 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.

Try PrepWise Free

Fermentation vs Hydration Comparison

Key Definitions