Physical and Chemical Properties of Alcohols

January 19, 20160 Comments

Alcohols are organic compounds in which a hydrogen atom of an aliphatic carbon is replaced with a hydroxyl
group. Thus an alcohol molecule consists of two parts; one containing the alkyl group and the other containing
hydroxyl group.They have a sweet odor. They exhibit unique set of physical and chemical properties. These
physical and chemical properties of alcohols are mainly due to the presence of hydroxyl group. Some prominent
physical and chemical properties of alcohols are given below:
Physical properties:
Boiling point of alcohols: Alcohols generally have higher boiling points in comparison to other hydrocarbons
having equal molecular masses. This is due to the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between
hydroxyl groups of alcohol molecules. In general, the boiling point of alcohols increases with increase in
number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic carbon chain. On the other hand,the boiling point decreases with
increase in branching in aliphatic carbon chainas the Van der Waals forces decreases with decrease in surface
area. Thus primary alcohols have higher boiling point.

Solubility of alcohols: Solubility of alcohol in water is governed by the hydroxyl group present. The hydroxyl
group in alcohol is involved in the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Thus, hydrogen bonds are
formed between water and alcohol molecules which make alcohol soluble in water. However the alkyl group
attached to the hydroxyl group is hydrophobic in nature. Thus, the solubility of alcohol decreases with the
increase in size of alkyl group.
Acidity of alcohols: Alcohols react with active metals such as sodium, potassium etc. to form
the corresponding alkoxide. These reactions of alcohols indicate their acidic nature. The acidic nature of
alcohol is due to the polarity of OH bond. The acidity of alcohols decreases when an electron donating group
is attached to the hydroxyl group as it increases the electron density on oxygen atom. Thus, primary alcohols are
generally more acidic than secondary and tertiary alcohols. Due to the presence of unshared electrons on
oxygen atom, alcohols act as Bronsted bases too.

Chemical properties of alcohols:

Alcohols exhibit wide range of spontaneous chemical reactions due to the cleavage of C-O bond and O-H bond.
Some prominent chemical reactions of alcohols are:

Oxidation of alcohol: Alcohols undergo oxidation in the presence of an oxidizing agent to produce aldehydes
and ketones which upon further oxidation give carboxylic acids.
PROPERTIES OF ETHER

Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an oxygen between two alkyl groups. They have the
formula R-O-R', with R's being the alkyl groups. these compounds are used in dye, perfumes, oils, waxes and
industrial use.

Properties Of Ethers Physical And Chemical

October 6, 20160 Comments

Ether is an organic compound containing an oxygen atom bonded to two same or different alkyl or aryl groups.
The general formula for ethers can be R-O-R, R-O-Ar or Ar-O-Ar, where R represents an alkyl group and Ar
represents an aryl group. They are generally classified into two categories on the basis of substituent groups
attached: symmetrical ether (when two identical groups are attached to the oxygen atom) and asymmetrical
ether (when two different groups are attached to the oxygen atom). Ethers exhibit a wide range of physical and
chemical properties. Some of the physical and chemical properties of ethers are discussed below:

Physical Properties of Ethers:

An ether molecule has a net dipole moment due to the polarity of C-O bonds.
The boiling point of ethers is comparable to the alkanes but much lower than that of alcohols of comparable
molecular mass despite the polarity of C-O bond. The miscibility of ethers with water resembles those of alcohols.
Ether molecules are miscible in water. This is attributed to the fact that like alcohols, the oxygen atom of ether can
also form hydrogen bonds with a water molecule.