Alcohols

Question 1

What is the general formula for alcohols?

Answer 1

Cn H2n+1 OH

Question 2

What are two ways in which alcohols are produced?

Answer 2

Hydration
Fermentation

Question 3

Describe hydration

Answer 3

Alcohols are produced from alkenes in the presence of an acid catalyst
Phosphoric acid is commonly used

Question 4

What are the conditions used in hydration to produce alcohols?

Answer 4

• under aqueous conditions
• 300 degrees celsius
• high pressures

Question 5

What are the advantages of hydration?

Answer 5

Has very high percentage yield
Only product produced is ethanol, therefore it is the preferred method

Question 6

Describe fermentation

Answer 6

Enzymes break down starch from crops into sugars
Which can then be fermented to form alcohol

Question 7

Advantages of fermentation

Answer 7

Method is cheaper than hydration
as it is carried out at low temperatures

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of fermentation?

Answer 8

Is a much slower process
Lower percentage yield
Ethanol and CO2 produced - CO2 is a pollutant