Alcohols — GCSE Chemistry Revision
Revise Alcohols for GCSE Chemistry. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Carboxylic AcidsWhat is Alcohols?
Alcohols are a homologous series of organic compounds containing the -OH functional group. Their names end in '-ol'. They are used as solvents and fuels, and can be oxidised to form carboxylic acids. Ethanol is the most common alcohol, found in alcoholic drinks.
Board notes: Alcohols are another important homologous series covered by all exam boards. You need to know their functional group, how to name and draw them, and their key reactions, including combustion, oxidation, and the two methods of producing ethanol.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) can be produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeast in the absence of oxygen. It can also be produced by the hydration of ethene with steam at a high temperature and pressure, using a catalyst.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing the -OH group in an alcohol with the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) in an alkali. The -OH group in an alcohol is covalently bonded and does not make the solution alkaline.
- 2Forgetting the conditions for the different reactions of alcohols. For example, the oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid requires an oxidising agent.
- 3Not being able to name and draw the structures of the first few alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol).
Alcohols exam questions
Exam-style questions for Alcohols with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Alcohols
Core concept
Alcohols are a homologous series of organic compounds containing the -OH functional group. Their names end in '-ol'. They are used as solvents and fuels, and can be oxidised to form carboxylic acids. …
Frequently asked questions
What are the uses of alcohols?
Alcohols are used as solvents (e.g., in perfumes and markers), as fuels (e.g., ethanol in biofuels), and to make other organic chemicals. Ethanol is the alcohol in alcoholic beverages.
What happens when an alcohol is oxidised?
Alcohols can be oxidised by reacting with an oxidising agent (like potassium dichromate(VI)) or by microbial action to form carboxylic acids. For example, ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid.