Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Alcohols and phenols contain a hydroxyl group attached to sp3 carbon and an aromatic ring respectively, while ethers have an oxygen between two carbon groups.
What is Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers?
Alcohols and phenols contain a hydroxyl group attached to sp3 carbon and an aromatic ring respectively, while ethers have an oxygen between two carbon groups.
Key formula / rule: Phenols are acidic enough to react with sodium hydroxide; alcohols are not.
Key points
- Compare the acidity of alcohols and phenols with reasons.
- Apply reaction tests to distinguish alcohols, phenols and ethers.
Common exam trap
Treating phenol as a simple aromatic alcohol of similar acidity.
Definitions
- Term
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
- Meaning
Alcohols and phenols contain a hydroxyl group attached to sp3 carbon and an aromatic ring respectively, while ethers have an oxygen between two carbon groups.
- Term
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers — explanation
- Meaning
Phenols are markedly more acidic than alcohols because the phenoxide ion is resonance stabilised. Hydrogen bonding explains the high boiling points of both compared with ethers.
Learning objectives
Compare the acidity of alcohols and phenols with reasons.
Apply reaction tests to distinguish alcohols, phenols and ethers.
Formulae
- Key point
Phenols are acidic enough to react with sodium hydroxide; alcohols are not.
- Key point
Hydrogen bonding raises boiling points relative to ethers of similar mass.
- Key point
Ethers are relatively inert but cleave with concentrated hydrogen halides.
Prerequisites
CHE-U4-HC-T1-S2-C1
Common mistakes
Treating phenol as a simple aromatic alcohol of similar acidity.
Expecting ethers to undergo the same substitution reactions as alcohols.
Keywords
Alcohols
Phenols
Ethers
Practice preview
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