Alcohols, Carbonyls and Carboxylic Acids

This lesson covers the properties and reactions of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives, including acyl chlorides, acid anhydrides, and esters. These functional groups are central to organic chemistry and form the basis of many synthetic routes. You will also learn about reducing agents (NaBH₄ vs LiAlH₄), the iodoform test, ester hydrolysis and biodiesel, and how IR spectroscopy links to oxidation products. This material aligns with the AQA and OCR A specifications for A-Level Chemistry.

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Alcohols

Alcohols contain the hydroxyl group (–OH) and have the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH (for monohydric, saturated, aliphatic alcohols). They are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms bonded to the carbon bearing the –OH group.

Key Definition: A primary alcohol has the –OH group on a carbon bonded to one other carbon (or none, as in methanol). A secondary alcohol has the –OH group on a carbon bonded to two other carbons. A tertiary alcohol has the –OH group on a carbon bonded to three other carbons.

Physical Properties