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1 Solutions 2 Electrochemistry 3 Chemical Kinetics 4 The d-and f-Block Elements 5 Coordination Compounds 6 Haloalkanes and Haloarenes 7 Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 8 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids 9 Amines 10 Biomolecules

7 Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

7.1 Classification of Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 7.2 Nomenclature 7.3 Structures of Functional Groups 7.4 Alcohols and Phenols 7.5 Some Commercially Important Alcohols 7.6 Ethers

Some Commercially Important Alcohols

NCERT Reference: Chapter 7 – Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers – Pages 184–185

Quick Notes

  • Methanol (CH3OH) is a poisonous alcohol obtained from syngas or CO + H2 mixture.
  • Ethanol (C2H5OH) is commonly known as alcohol; used in beverages, solvents, and medical preparations.
  • Both alcohols are miscible in water and flammable.
  • Methanol is toxic even in small quantities
  • Ethanol in excess is intoxicating but less toxic than methanol.

Full Notes

Methanol and ethanol are among the most widely used alcohols in laboratories and industries. They serve as solvents, fuels, and intermediates in various chemical processes.

Methanol (CH3OH)

NCERT 12 Chemistry structure and key facts for methanol showing CH3OH functional group and labels.

Preparation

Industrially prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide:

NCERT 12 Chemistry industrial production of methanol from CO and H2 over ZnO/Cr2O3 catalyst at high pressure and temperature.

Catalyst: ZnO/Cr2O3 at high pressure and temperature

Properties

Uses

Ethanol (C2H5OH)

NCERT 11 Chemistry structure and key facts for ethanol showing C2H5OH functional group and labels.

Preparation

Obtained by fermentation of sugars (glucose and fructose) obtained from the breaking down of sucrose in presence of zymase enzymes (from yeast)

NCERT 12 Chemistry fermentation of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide using zymase enzymes from yeast.

Can also be prepared by hydration of ethene using H2SO4 catalyst (see section 7.4).

Properties

Uses

Toxicity & Denaturation

Summary