Alcohols & Carboxylic Acids
Other note source Quiz 1: Fullscreen Mode Quiz 2: Fullscreen Mode Alcohols & Carboxylic Acids IGCSE Chemistry 18.1 Alcohols Alcohols are a homologous series of organic compounds containing the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. Functional Group: Hydroxyl group ( -OH ). General Formula: C n H 2n+1 OH . Molecular Shape: The bonding around the oxygen atom is bent (V-shaped), similar to water. Example: Ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH) H H | | H - C - C - O - H | | H H Physical Properties As the carbon chain length increases (Methanol → Butanol): Boiling Point: Increases. Solubility in Water: Decreases (Methanol is very soluble; Butanol is only slightly soluble). Volatility: Decreases (they evaporate les...