Key learning points

1. Alcohols can react, at their functional group -OH, with sodium, oxygen, water, or an oxidising agent.
2. Alcohols need less oxygen than equivalent alkanes in order to burn completely.
3. Alcohols are good solvents which also mix with water.
4. The boiling point of ethanol is much higher than the boiling point of ethane.
5. Ethanol can be formed via fermentation of glucose (renewable) or via hydration of ethene (non-renewable).

Keywords

• Alcohol - Alcohols are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -OH functional group.

• Functional group - The functional group is the atom or group of atoms responsible for the way a compound reacts.

• Solvent - A solvent is a liquid into which a solute dissolves.

• Fermentation - Fermentation is a process that produces solutions of ethanol from sugar, resulting from the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms.

• Hydration - A reaction involving the addition of water is known as hydration.

Common misconception