5 Alcohols

Question 1

industrial production of alcohols

Answer 1

hydration of alkenes in the presence of an acid catalyst (H3PO4)
requires a high pressure and high temperature

Question 2

fermentation of sugars

Answer 2

C6H12O6→2C2H5OH + 2CO2
under anaerobic conditions, with yeast at 35oC
leftover yeast can be removed by filtration

Question 3

dehydration of alcohols

Answer 3

requires c. H2SO4/c.H3SO4 at 180oC
unsymmetrical alcohols produce a mixture of different alkenes

Question 4

why is the dehydration of alcohols useful?

Answer 4

it produces alkenes, which can be used to make polymers. If fermentation is used, the polymers then come from a renewable source

Question 5

oxidation of primary alcohols

Answer 5

oxidised to aldehydes (if performed using distillation)

Question 6

test for primary and secondary alcohols

Answer 6

add acidified potassium dichromate
goes from orange to green
this oxidises the alcohol

Question 7

oxidation of primary alcohols under reflux

Answer 7

initially, oxidised to aldehydes and then aldehydes further oxidised to carboxylic acids

Question 8

oxidation of secondary alcohols

Answer 8

oxidised to ketones