--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Explain alcohols and phenols in organic chemistry.

Alcohols and phenols are the compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups (- OH). The alcohols contain the -OH group attached to alkyl group whereas in phenols, the -OH group is attached to aromatic ring. These are classified as mono-, di- and trihydric alcohols or phenols according to the number of -OH groups contained in their molecules. Some examples of mono-, di- and trihydric alcohols and phenols are as follows:

    Alcohols

2399_alcohol and phenol.png 

It may be noted that the aromatic compounds in which -OH group is not directly attached to benzene ring are not phenols but are called aromatic alcohols. These may also be called as aryl derivatives of aliphatic alcohols. When four or more hydroxyl groups are present, they are called polyhydric alcohols or polyhydric phenols.

Monohydric alcohols may be further classified according to the hybrid state of the carbon atom to which the -OH group is attached.
    
Compounds containing Csp3 ) -OH bond

In this type of alcohols, the -OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom. They are further classify as follows:

Primary (1°), secondary (2°) and tertiary (3°) alcohols

Monohydric alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols depending upon whether the hydroxyl group is attached to a primary, secondary or tertiary carbon atom. For instance,

1240_alcohol and phenol1.png 

Allylic alcohols: in allylic alcohols, the -OH group is attached to a sp3-hybridised carbon next to the carbon-carbon double bond, that is to an allylic carbon. For instance,

2066_alcohol and phenol2.png 

Benzylic alcohols: in benzlylic alcohols, the -OH group is attached to a sp3 -hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring. Allylic and benzylic alcohols can be secondary, primary or tertiary.
    
Compounds containing Csp3 )-OH bond:

These alcohols include -OH group bonded to a carbon-carbon double bond i.e. to a vinylic carbon or to an aryl carbon. For example, vinylic alcohols and phenols belong to this class of compounds.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Question of vapour pressure Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. Vapour pressure of a solution is: (a) Directly proportional to the mole fraction of the solvent (b) Inversely proportional to the mole fraction of the solute (c) Inversely proportional to the mole fraction of the solvent (d

    		•
  • Q : How to calculate solutions molar

    The contribution of an electrolyte, or an ion electrolyte, is reported as the molar of a conductance. The definition of the molar conductance is based on the following conductivity cell in which the electrodes are 1 m apart and of sufficient area that th

    		•
  • Q : Explain polyhalogen compounds with

    Carbon compounds containing more than one halogen atom are called polyhalogen compounds. Most of these compounds are valuable in industry and agriculture. Some important polyhalogen compounds are described as follows:

    Q : Molecular mass from Raoults law Provide

    Provide solution of this question. Determination of correct molecular mass from Raoult's law is applicable to: (a) An electrolyte in solution (b) A non-electrolyte in a dilute solution (c) A non-electrolyte in a concentrated solution (d) An electrolyte in a liquid so

    		•
  • Q : What is Spectroscopy? This is a very

    This is a very important aspect of Physical Chemistry in which knowledge of the size, shape, rigidity and electronic structure of molecules deduced from the experimental methods treated here goes hand in hand with the theoretical approaches of chemical reactions. Spec

    		•
  • Q : Sugar solution The solution of sugar in

    The solution of sugar in water comprises: (i) Free atoms (ii) Free ions (iii) Free molecules (iv) Free atom and molecules. Choose the right answer from the above.

    		•
  • Q : Particles of quartz Particles of quartz

    Particles of quartz are packed by:(i) Electrical attraction forces  (ii) Vander Waal's forces  (iii) Covalent bond forces  (iv) Strong electrostatic force of attraction Answer: (iii)

    		•
  • Q : Quantum Mechanical Operators The

    The quantum mechanical methods, illustrated previously by the Schrödinger equation, are extended by the use of operators. Or, w

    		•
  • Q : The Liver Is Responsible For Much Of

    The Liver Is Responsible For Much Of The Pentose Phosphate Activity Explain

    		•
  • Q : Latent heat of vaporization Normal

    Normal butane (C4H10) is stored as a compressed liquid at 90°C and 1400 kPa. In order to use the butane in a low-pressure gas-phase process, it is throttled to 150 kPa and passed through a vaporizer. The butane emerges from the vaporizer as a

    		•