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Summary
A homologous series
• The alkanols are a homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+1OH. The names
always end in -ol. All have the hydroxyl group –OH, which gives the alkanols similar
chemical properties.
Note: The hydroxyl group --OH is covalent, and differs from OH-, which is the hydroxide
ion.
• The first two alkanols are methanol CH3OH and ethanol C2H5OH or CH3CH2OH.
Structural formulae of ethanol
Preparation of ethanol
• By fermentation of sugars found in plants, e.g. grapes, barley, rice. Fermentation is the
conversion of large molecules (e.g.. starch, sugars) to smaller molecules (e.g., ethanol) by
micro-organisms (e.g. yeast). For example, the fermentation of a sugar (glucose):
enzymes in
C6H12O6(aq) -------------------> 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
yeast
glucose ethanol carbon dioxide
O
The process works best at about 37 C; higher temperatures kill the yeast. The maximum
concentration of ethanol is about 18%. This is because the yeast dies at higher
concentration and fermentation stops. The concentration can be increased by fractional
distillation.
• By the catalytic hydration of ethene
Ethanol and steam are passed over a catalyst of phosphoric acid at 300OC and high
pressure.
phosphoric acid
C2H4(g) + H2O(g) ------------------------>
O C2H5OH(g)
300 C
•1
Uses of lower alkanols
• Solubility: Lower alkanols (C1 – C3) are soluble in water (due to the hydroxyl group) and
in non-aqueous solvents (due to the hydrocarbon part of the molecule). Hence the are
used for mixing oils and water in cosmetics.
• Burning: Alkanols burns completely with hot clean blue flames. E.g. ethanol:
C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) ----> 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)
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Organic acids
• Organic acids are a homologous series with the general formula CnH2n+1COOH. All have
the -COOH group. The most common example is ethanoic acid CH3COOH.
• Drinking even small amounts of alcohol can affect a person’s behaviour. For example, a
person is unable to see or speak clearly and unable to stand or walk properly.
• Continual drinking over a long period (e.g. several years) can cause health problems.
For example:
-- damage to the brain, liver and stomach.
-- some cancers, e.g. mouth, throat and gullet.
-- high blood pressure.
-- alcohol can pass from a mother to her unborn child and harm the baby.
• There are social and economic problems associated with alcohol. For example:
-- alcohol addiction.
-- family and work problems.
-- alcohol is a major cause of road accidents.
-- economic costs include hospital costs, legal costs and costs from lost work.
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22.1 – 22.4
Multiple-choice questions
•4
5. The diagram shows a ball-and-stick model of an alkanol. What is its name?
A Methanol.
B Ethanol. √
C Propanol.
D Butanol.
6. What is the systematic name of the alkanol with the following structural formula?
CH3 – CH2 – CH2 – CH2 – OH
A butanol.
B butanol-1.
C butan-1-ol. √
D butan-4-ol.
A Beer.
B Wine.
C Brandy.
D Whisky.
•5
11. In the fermentation of a sugar, what are the final products?
A Water and carbon dioxide.
B Ethanol only.
C Ethanol and water.
D Ethanol and carbon dioxide. √
12. Methylated spirit is an industrial solvent and fuel. What does it consist of?
A Methanol.
B Ethanol.
C Methanol and ethanol. √
D Methanoic acid.
13. Some micro-organisms are added to a dilute solution of ethanol. The mixture is exposed
to the air for a few weeks. What is produced?
A Ethane.
B Ethane.
C An ester.
D Vinegar. √
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Structured questions
2.
•7
3. Ethanol (alcohol) can also be prepared from the starch and sugars in plants. This method is
used to prepare alcoholic drinks.
(a) What is the process called?
___Fermentation.________________________________________________________
(b) Name TWO plants used for this process and the kind of alcoholic drink prepared from
each.
___E.g. 1. Grapes to make wine.____________________________________________
_______2. Barley to make beer._____________________________________________
(c) To prepare ethanol, a solution of glucose (a sugar) is mixed with some yeast.
(i) What is the purpose of the yeast?
___The yeast contains an enzyme which speeds up the process of the
fermentation._______________________________________________________
(ii) Write the equation for the formation of the ethanol.
___C6H12O6(aq) ----> 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)______________________________
(iii) Only a dilute solution of ethanol can be formed. What is the reason for this?
___At higher concentrations, the yeast dies and the fermentation stops.______________
_______________________________________________________________________
(iv) What can be done to increase the concentration of the ethanol?
___The fermentation mixture can be distilled to increase the concentration of the ethanol._
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5. Esters are naturally-occurring compounds and can also be made synthetically.
(a) State a property of esters that makes them important compounds.
__They have a strong, pleasant/sweet smell. _________________________________
(b) State where esters occur naturally.
__In many fruits and flowers.___________________________________________
(c) State THREE uses of synthetic esters.
__E.g. As solvents (e.g. nail polish remover), as flavouring for foods and rinks (e.g. jellies,
milk shakes), and to provide fragrance/ a sweet smell in perfumes. _____________
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22.5 – 22.6
Multiple-choice questions
2. Ethanol has the formula C2H5OH. Which of the following statements concerning this
formula is/are correct?
(1) The –OH part is responsible for all the properties of ethanol.
(2) The –OH part is soluble in water but not in oils.
(3) The C2H5- part is soluble in non-aqueous solvents such as oils.
A (1) only
B (1) and (2) only
C (2) and (3) only √
D (1), (2) and (3)
3. Which of the following statements about the combustion of alkanols is/are correct?
(1) They burn with a clean flame.
(2) The combustion is a redox reaction.
(3) Carbon dioxide and water are always formed.
A (1) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3) √
A Displacement.
B Redox.
C Esterification.
D Neutralisation
4. Some ethanol is added to acidified potassium dichromate solution. What type of reaction
occurs? B
5. What is the type of reaction between an alkanol and an alkanoic acid called? C
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Questions 6 and 7 refer to the ester formed when methanol and ethanoic acid react.
A Ethanol.
B Ethanoic acid. √
C Methanoic acid.
D Ethyl ethanoate.
10. What is the name of the compound with the formula HCOOH?
A Methanol.
B Methanoic acid. √
C Ethanoic acid.
D Methyl methanoate.
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Structured questions
2. The picture shows after-shave lotion. The lotion is a clear solution of water, oils and ethanol.
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(f) Some esters are made synthetically. Give some uses of these esters.
_E.g. 1. As flavourings in some foods and drinks. 2. To provide fragrance in perfumes and
other cosmetics. 3. Some are used as solvents, e.g. as nail polish remover.__________
_______________________________________________________________________
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22.7
Multiple-choice questions
2. Approximately what volume of alcohol can the body remove per hour?
A 0.1 cm3
B 1.0 cm3
C 10 cm3 √
3
D 100 cm
4. How might this amount of alcohol affect the person? The person:
(1) has a relaxed feeling.
(2) become dizzy and cannot stand.
(3) is less alert.
A (1) only
B (2) only
C (1) and (3) only √
D (2) and (3) only
Questions 5 and 6 relate to the blood alcohol level (measured in mg per 100 cm3 of blood).
5. For driving in Hong Kong, what is the legal limit of the blood alcohol limit?
A 10
B 20
C 50 √
D 80
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6. This level can be reached by consuming how much alcoholic drink within an hour?
(1) 2 to 3 cans of beer.
(2) About 2 glasses of wine.
(3) About 2 small glasses of whisky
A (1) only
B (1) and (2) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3) √
7. What health problems can be caused by drinking alcohol over a long period of time?
(1) Liver damage.
(2) Heart and brain damage.
(3) Skin cancer.
A (1) only
B (1) and (2) only √
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)
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Structured questions
1. (a) State TWO negative effects of consuming a small amount of alcohol at one time.
__E.g. Speech can become slower. Decrease in alertness (increasing the chance of an
accident).__________________________________________________________
(b) State TWO effects of consuming a large amount of alcohol at one time.
_E.g. Unable to stand. Speech becomes difficult/slurred. May become unconscious.
__________________________________________________________________
(c) List some health problems that can occur with drinking over several years.
_E.g. Damage to body organs such as the liver, brain, heart and stomach. Cancer of the
mouth, throat and gullet. High blood pressure. Weight problems/obesity.
______________________________________________________________________
(d) Why is it harmful for a pregnant woman to consume alcohol?
__The alcohol can pass through the placenta from the mother to the unborn child. The
alcohol can damage the baby’s body and brain._____________________________
(e) List some social problems associated with alcohol.
_E.g. People can become addicted to alcohol. A heavy drinker can be aggressive to his
family. Some people with alcohol problems commit crimes.
______________________________________________________________________
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