5.1 Description and Properties

LEARNING GOALS

After   Chapter 5.1,    you will    be  able    to:

Predict the relative    pKa values  of  two given   alcohols

Order   alcohols    based   on  boiling point

Alcohols have the general formula ROH, with the functional group –OH referred to as a hydroxyl
group.

MCAT EXPERTISE

Alcohols    are an  important   group   of  compounds.  They    will    be  seen    on  the MCAT    as  protic

solvents,   reactants,  products,   and prime   examples    of  hydrogen    bonding.

NOMENCLATURE

Alcohols are named in the IUPAC system by replacing the –e ending of the root alkane with the
ending –ol. If the alcohol is the highest-priority functional group, the carbon atom attached to it
receives the lowest possible number. Some examples are shown in Figure 5.1.