This chapter explores the chemistry of alcohols, phenols, and ethers, highlighting their significance in everyday life and various applications.
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers – Formula & Equation Sheet
Essential formulas and equations from Chemistry - II, tailored for Class 12 in Chemistry.
This one-pager compiles key formulas and equations from the Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers chapter of Chemistry - II. Ideal for exam prep, quick reference, and solving time-bound numerical problems accurately.
Key concepts & formulas
Essential formulas, key terms, and important concepts for quick reference and revision.
Formulas
R-OH (Alcohols)
R represents an alkyl or aryl group. Alcohols contain one or more hydroxyl (−OH) groups bonded to carbon atoms, influencing their physical properties and reactivity.
C6H5OH (Phenol)
Phenol contains a hydroxyl group attached to a benzene ring, significantly affecting its acidity and reactivity in electrophilic substitution reactions.
R-O-R' (Ethers)
Ethers have an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups (R and R'), which defines their structure and physical properties.
Ethanol (C2H5OH) from fermentation
Produced from sugars in anaerobic conditions, ethanol is widely used as an antiseptic and solvent.
RCOOH + LiAlH4 → RCH2OH (Reduction of Carboxylic Acids)
Carboxylic acids can be reduced to primary alcohols using lithium aluminium hydride, a strong reducing agent.
RCHO + H2 + catalyst → RCH2OH (Reduction of Aldehydes)
Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols through catalytic hydrogenation, involving a catalyst such as palladium or platinum.
ROH + HX → RX + H2O (Reaction with Hydrogen Halides)
Alcohols react with hydrogen halides to produce alkyl halides and water, demonstrating nucleophilic substitution.
C3H8O (Propan-1-ol) dehydration → C3H6 (Propene) + H2O
Alcohols can undergo dehydration to form alkenes in presence of an acid catalyst, exemplifying elimination reactions.
C3H8O + O → C3H6O (Oxidation of Secondary Alcohol)
Secondary alcohols oxidize to ketones using oxidizing agents such as CrO3 or KMnO4.
C6H5OH + NaOH → C6H5O−Na+ + H2 (Acid-Base Reaction)
Phenols can react with strong bases like sodium hydroxide to form phenoxide ions and hydrogen gas, indicating their acidic nature.
Equations
C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH (Hydration of Alkenes)
Alkenes can be hydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst to yield alcohols, in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule.
C2H5OH + H2 → C2H4 + H2O (Dehydration of Alcohols)
Dehydration involves removing water from alcohols to produce alkenes or ethers under acidic conditions.
C6H5N2+Cl- + H2O → C6H5OH + N2 + HCl (Hydrolysis of Diazonium Salts)
Diazonium salts can be hydrolyzed into phenols by warming with water or dilute acids, an important reaction in organic synthesis.
R-Br + NaR' + OH- → R-O-R' + NaBr (Williamson Ether Synthesis)
Ethers can be synthesized by the reaction of sodium alkoxides with alkyl halides via an SN2 mechanism.
C6H5O− + CO2 → C6H4(OH)(COOH) (Kolbe's Electrolysis)
Kolbe's electrolysis of phenoxide ions leads to ortho or para hydroxybenzoic acids.
C6H5OH + Br2 → 2,4,6-Br3C6H2OH + HBr (Halogenation of Phenol)
Treating phenol with bromine yields tribromophenol under suitable conditions, exemplifying electrophilic aromatic substitution.
C6H5OH + HNO3 → 2,4-Nitrophenol + H2O (Nitration of Phenol)
Nitration of phenol with nitric acid produces nitrophenols, showcasing the activating effects of the hydroxyl group.
C6H5OH + CHCl3 + NaOH → Salicylaldehyde (Reimer-Tiemann Reaction)
This reaction introduces a formyl group to phenol, yielding salicylaldehyde.
C2H5OH + CrO3 → C2H4O (Oxidation to Ketones)
Secondary alcohols are converted to ketones using strong oxidizing agents.
2 CH3OH + O2 → 2 CH3O + H2O (Combustion)
Alcohols can combust in the presence of oxygen to form alkyl ethers and water, demonstrating energy release.
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