ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND

ETHERS
SYLLABUS :
Alcohols: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties (of primary alcohols only);
identification of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols; mechanism of dehydration, uses of methanol and
ethanol.
Phenols: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, acidic nature of phenol,

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electrophillic substitution reactions, uses of phenols.
Ethers: Nomenclature, methods of preparation, physical and chemical properties, uses.
KEY CONCEPTS
INTRODUCTION
Alcohols are hydrocarbon derivatives in which one or more hydrogens of a parent hydrocarbon have been
replaced by a hydroxyl or alcohol functional group, OH. The simplest alcohol, methanol (methyl alcohol), has
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many important industrial uses and is produced on a large scale.
Phenol is the simplest compound with an OH group attached to an aromatic ring. One of the most striking
effects of the aromatic group is the greatly increased acidity of the OH group. Phenol is about 1 million times
more acidic in water than a typical nonaromatic alcohol such as ethanol . Even so, it is not a very strong acid
(Ka = 1.3 × 10–10). Phenol is used industrially to make several kind of plastics and dyes. It is also used as a
topical anesthetic in many sore throat sprays.
Ethers are compounds in which two hydrocarbon group are bonded to one oxygen. Ethers are used as solvents.
Both dietehyl ether and the cyclic ether tetrahydrofuran are common solvents for organic reactions.

R  OH OH R  O  R
A

an alcohol an ether
a phenol

11.1 CLASSIFICATION
11.1.1 Mono, Di, Tri or Polyhydric Compounds
Alcohols and Phenols are classified according to no. of hydroxyl groups present in their molecule. Alcohols
B

with one two and three hydroxyl groups are called monohydric, dihydric & trihydric alcohols respectively.
Alcohols which contains four or more hydroxyl groups are called polyhydric alcohols.
OH OH

OH
H3C OH OH
HO
methanol ethylene glycol OH OH OH OH
glycerol butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol

When two or more hydroxyl groups attached to the same carbon atom the compound is generally unstable.
The compound loses a water molecule and is converted into a stable compound.

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 (i) Compounds containing Csp3- OH bond: In this class of alcohols, the –OH group is attached to an sp3
hybridised carbon atom of an alkyl group.
Monohydric alcohols are further divided into three classes:
(a) Primary alcohol: The hydroxyl group is attached with primary carbon atom.
They possess a characteristic group
H3C

H3C
—CH2—OH. OH H3C OH
propan-1-ol 2-methylpropan-1-ol

(b) Secondary alcohol: The hydroxyl group attached to secondary carbon atom.
They possess > CH — OH group.

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CH3
H3C
OH OH
H3C H3C

(c) Tertiary alcohol: The hydroxyl group attached to tertiary carbon atom.
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They possess a characteristic group C—OH.
CH3
CH3
H3C
H3C
CH3 CH3
HO OH
Allylic alcohols : In these alcohols, the —OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon next to the
carbon-carbon double bond, that is to an allylic carbon. For example
|
C
A

H
| |
CH 2  CH  C  OH CH 2  CH  C  OH
CH 2  CH  CH 2  OH | |
Primary C C
| |
Secondary Tertiary
B

Benzylic alcohols: In these alcohols, the —OH group is attached to a sp -hybridised carbon atom next to an
3
aromatic ring. For example

H –C–
CH2OH
C – OH C – OH
–C– –C–
Primary
Secondary Tertiary
Allylic and benzylic alcohols may be primary, secondary or tertiary.
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 (ii) Compounds containing C sp2 – OH bond:
These alcohols contain —OH group bonded to a carbon-carbon double bond i.e., to a vinylic carbon or
to an aryl carbon. These alcohols are also known as vinylic alcohols.
Vinylic alcohol: CH2 = CH – OH
OH
OH CH3
Phenols :

11.1.2 Ethers :Ethers are a class of compounds which contains an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl groups (same or
different). When both the alkyl groups are same they are designated as simple or symmetrical ethers and
when both are different they are called mixed or unsymmetrical ethers.
R—O—R R—O— R'

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CH3—O—CH3 CH3—O—C2H5
C2H5—O—C2H5 CH3—O—C3H7
Simple ethers Mixed ethers.

11.2 NOMENCLATURE
(a) Alcohols: Alcohols can be named by three methods.
(i) Carbinol method: Alcohols are considered as derivatives of methyl alcohol also known as carbinol.
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H3C H3C
OH
Example : H3C OH
H3C
OH H3C CH3
Methyl carbinol Dimethyl carbinol Trimethyl carbinol

(ii) Common Names: (Radico functional Nomenclature) This method is most often used for the simple alco-
hol. A common name consists simply of the name of alkyl group followed by the word alcohol.

H3C H3C
OH
A

Example : H3C
H3C
OH H3C OH CH3
Ethyl alcohol isobutyl alcohol tertbutyl alcohol

(iii) IUPAC system: In this system alcohols are called ‘alkanols’.

B

Step 1 : Name the longest chain to which the hydroxyl (—OH) group is attached. The name for this chain is
obtained by dropping the final -e from the name of the hydrocarbon parent name and adding the ending -ol.
Step 2 : Number the longest chain to give the lowest possible number to the carbon bearing the hydroxyl
group.
Step 3 : Locate the position of the hydroxyl group by the number of the C to which it is attached.
Step 4 : Locate and name any other substituents.
Step 5 : Combine the name and location for other groups, the hydroxyl group location, and the longest
chain into the final name.
NOTE :
* If there is more than one OH group, a counting prefix (di-, tri-, tetra-, etc.) is placed immediately in
front of the suffix -ol (diol, triol, tetraol, etc.).
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 • Usually, the final “e” of the parent hydrocarbon is not dropped (e.g., 1,2-propanediol).
• The position of each alcohol group is indicated by carbon number, separated by commas
(e.g., 1,3-butanediol).
* For cyclic alcohols, the carbon bearing the OH is numbered as “1.”
Example
H3C H3C CH3
H3C
CH3
OH
H3C OH CH3
H3C HO H3C OH HO
methanol propan-1-ol propan-2-ol 2-methylpropan-1-ol 2-methylpropan-2-ol

(b) Phenols : Phenols are named as derivatives of simplest compound of this class i.e. phenol

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OH
OH OH O2N NO2

phenol
Cl NO2
3-chlorophenol 2-4-6-trinitrophenol
(picric acid)
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Methyl phenols are known as cresols

OH OH OH OH
CH3 H3C CH3

CH3
CH3
2-methyl phenol 3-methyl phenol 4-methyl phenol 2-6 dimethyl phenol
(o-cresol) (m-cresol) (p-cresol)
A

Some dihydric and trihydric phenols are given below:

OH OH OH OH OH OH
OH OH
B

OH OH OH HO OH
1-2-Benzenediol 1-3-Benzenediol
OH OH
1-4 Benzenediol 1-2-3 Benzenetriol 1-2-4 Benzenetriol 1-3-5 Benzene-triol

But carboxyl and acyl group take precedence over the phenolic hydroxyl and hence it is treated as a substitu-
ent in these cases. OH
3 2

HO COOH H3C 4 1 COOH

5 6
4-hydroxybenzoic acid 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid
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 (c) Ethers :
(i) Common names: Ethers are named after the alkyl groups attached to oxygen atom and adding the
word ether. When both alkyl groups are same the prefix di is used. In case of unsymmetrical ethers the
two alkyl groups are named in alphabetical order.
(ii) IUPAC: In this system ethers are named as alkoxy alkane. The smaller alkyl group plus oxygen is
called an alkoxy substituents.
Ether Common Name IUPAC
CH3—O—CH3 Dimethyl ether Methoxy methane
CH3—O— C2H5 Ethyl methyl ether Methoxy Ethane

11.3 STRUCTURES OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

Structures (geometry) of alcohol : The hydroxyl oxygen includes two non-bonding pairs, it will adopt sp3
hybridisation with a C—O—H bond angle of about 108.9°.

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142pm
: O: 96pm
H
H3C
C 108.9° H
H3C O H
H
H3C H
Methanol
Both the C—O and O—H single bonds are quite strong. Because oxygen is considerably more electro-
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negative than either carbon and hydrogen both these bonds are polarized towards oxygen making alcohols
reasonably polar molecules.
Note : The bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle (109°-28'). It is due to the repulsion
between the unshared electron pairs of oxygen.
Structures of phenol : In phenols, the –OH group is attached to sp2 hybridised carbon of an aromatic ring.
The carbon– oxygen bond length (136 pm) in phenol is slightly less than that in methanol. This is due to (i)
partial double bond character on account of the conjugation of unshared electron pair of oxygen with the
aromatic ring and (ii) sp2 hybridised state of carbon to which oxygen is attached.
109°
H
A

O
136pm
Phenol
Structures of Ether : The oxygen atom is ethers is sp3 hybridized. Two of the hybrid orbital overlap with
hybrid orbital of two carbon atoms to form sigma bonds. The bond angle is 111.7°.
B

141pm
H O
H
O H C 111.7° C H
R R H H
Methoxymethane
Note : The bond angle is slightly greater than the tetrahedral angle due to the repulsive interaction between the
two bulky (–R) groups. The C–O bond length (141 pm) is almost the same as in alcohols.

LEARNING CHECK-1
Q.1 What is the characteristic structural feature of an Alcohol?
Q.2 What are the bonds angles around the carbon of methanol?
BALAJI TUTORIALS 5 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

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Q.3 How is a compound with multiple OH groups named?
Q.4 Name the following unsaturated alcohols.
OH
HO OH
H CH3CHCH3
(a) C=C (b) CH3 (c)
CH3CH2 H

Q.5 Would the following Alcohols be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary?

CH3 CH 3 CH3
HO
| |
(a) H3C  C  CH 2  OH (b) CH3  CH 2  CH (c) (d) OH
| |

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CH3 CH 3
Q.6 How would you name the following compounds using IUPAC standard nomenclature?
OCH3
(a) CH3CH2 – O – CH3CH2OH (b)

H3C CH3
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(c) CH3CH2CH2 – O – CH2CH2CH2CH3 (d) CH – O – C – CH3
H3C CH3
Q.7 What compound is known simply as "Ether"?

11.4 ALCOHOLS AND PHENOLS

11.4.1 PREPARATION OF ALCOHOLS
1. From alkene :
(i) Acid catalysed hydration of alkenes: Alkenes adds water in the presence of an acid catalyst to yield
A

alcohol. The addition takes place according to markovnikov regioselectivity. The reaction is reversible and
the mechanism for the acid-catalysed hydration of an alkene is simply the reverse of that for the dehydration
of an alcohol.
H

 HA  A  A-
 H2 O
 HA
–H O
B


+
2

alkene H O H O
H H Alcohol H

Acid catalysed hydration of alkene has limited synthetic utility. However because of carbocation interme-
diate rearrangement may take place. Thus a mixture of isomeric alcohols may result.
Mechanism :
The mechanism of the reaction involves the following three steps:
Step 1: Protonation of alkene to form carbocation by electrophilic attack of H3O+.
H2O + H+ H3O+
H H
+
O H
+
C C H C C + H2O

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 Step 2: Nucleophilic attack of water on carbocation.
H H H
C C + H2O C C O H
+ +

Step 3: Deprotonation to form an alcohol.

H H H OH
C C + H3O
+
C C O H + H2O
+

(ii) Hydroboration-oxidation: An alkene reacts with (BH3)2 or diborane to produce an alkylborane oxida-
tion and hydrolysis of the alkylborane with hydrogen peroxide and base yields an alcohol. The net addition
of H— and —OH occurs with anti-markonikov region-selectivity and syn stereoselectivity.
CH3 – CH = CH2 + (H – BH2)2 ––– CH3  CH  CH 2 
CH3  CH  CH 2 (CH3 – CH2 – CH2)2BH

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| |
H BH 2

(CH3 – CH2 – CH2)3B   3CH3  CH 2  CH 2  OH  B (OH)3

H 2O
CH3  CH  CH 2
 3H 2O 2 ,OH Pr opan 1ol
2. From carbonyl compounds
(i) By Reduction of Aldehyde and Ketone :
Aldehydes and ketones are reduced to the corresponding alcohols by addition of hydrogen in the presence
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of catalysts (catalytic hydrogenation). The usual catalyst is a finely divided metal such as platinum, palladium
or nickel. It is also prepared by treating aldehydes and ketones with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or
lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4). Aldehydes yield primary alcohols whereas ketones give secondary
alcohols.
LiAlH / Na  C H OH/ NaH
R  C  H  2H 
4 2 5  RCH 2 OH
|| 1º alcohol
O
Aldehyde
LiAlH 4 / Na  C2H5OH/ NaH
R  C  R  2H   R  CH  R
A

|| |
O OH
Ketone 2º alcohol
3º alcohol cannot be obtained by this method
(ii) By reduction of Acid & Its derivatives : Carboxylic acids are reduced to primary alcohols in excellent
yields by lithium aluminium hydride, a strong reducing agent.
B

R  C  OH + 4H   RCH2OH R  C  X + 4H 

4  RCH OH + HX
LiAlH 4 LiAlH
2
|| ||
O O
Carboxylic acid Alcohol Acid halide Alcohol

R  C  OR ' + 4H  4  RCH OH + R'OH ; RCOOCOR + 8H  4  2RCH OH + H O

LiAlH LiAlH
2 2 2
||
O
Acid ester Alcohol Acid anhydride Alcohol
Acid amide on reduction forms primary amine as major product not alcohol.

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3. From Grignard reagents
Organomagnesium halides are called as Grignard Reagents. Grignard reagents have great use in organic synthesis.
Grignard reagents are usually prepared by the reaction of an organic halide and magnesium metal (turnings) in
an ether solvent.

R — X  Mg   R — Mg — X 
Et 2O
 Grignard reagents
Ar — X  Mg  Ar — Mg — X 
Ether

The order of reactivity of halides with magnesium is also RI > RBr > RCl (very few organomagnesium fluorides
have been prepared. Aryl Grignard reagents are more easily prepared by Aryl bromides and aryl iodides than
from aryl chlorides which reacts very sluggishly. The general formula for Grignard reagents is R—Mg—X.
Grignard reagents are seldom isolated but are used for further reactions in ether solution. Grignard reagents are
very strong bases. They reacts with any compounds that has a hydrogen atom attached to an electronegative

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atom such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur.
– 
R — MgX
The reactions of Grignard reagents with water and alcohol are nothing more than acid-base reactions, they lead
to the formation of the weaker conjugate acid and weaker conjugate base. The Grignard reagents behaves as
if it contains a anions of an alkane as if it contains carbanion
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R : MgX  H OH 
 R :H   Mg 2  X
 
HO
G.R. water Alkane Hydroxide ion
stronger base (stronger acid) (weaker acid) (weaker base)

R : MgX  H OR  
 R : H  RO  Mg 2  X 
– 

stronger base stronger acid weaker acid weaker base

Not only are Grignard reagents strong bases they are also powerful nucleophiles. Reactions in which Grignard
reagents acts as a nucleophile are by far the most important. Grignard reagents carry out nucleophilic attack at
a saturated carbon when they reacts with oxiranes. The nucleophilic alkyl group of the Grignard reagents
A

attacks the partially positive carbon of the oxirane ring. Because it is highly strained, the ring opens and the
reaction leads to the salt of primary alcohol. Subsequent acidification produces the alcohol.

–    2
R : MgX  H 2 C— CH 2 
 R — CH 2 — CH 2 — O MgX
B

O
– H 3O 

R — CH 2 — CH 2 — OH

Primary alcohol

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 Example : C6 H 5 MgBr  CH 2 — CH 2 
Ether
 C6 H 5 — CH 2 — CH 2 OMgBr
O
H 2O 

C6 H5 — CH 2 — CH 2 — OH
Grignard reagent reacts primarily at the less substituted ring carbon atom of substituted oxiranes. The most
important reactions of Grignard reagents are those in which these reagents acts as a nucleophiles and attacks
on unsaturated carbon especially the carbon the carbon of a carbonyl group.

Reaction : R : Mg — X  C  O  i) ether

  R — C — O — H  MgX 2

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ii) H O  , X -
3

Mechanism
2
R : MgX  C  O 
 R — C — O Mg X 
–   –

R — C — O Mg 2 X   H — O — H   R — C — O — H  O — H  MgX 2
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X
H H
11.4.2 Preparation of Phenols
(i) From haloarenes : By heating chlorobenzene with caustic soda under pressure (Dow’s process). This is
commercial method. The reaction involves nucleophilic substitution.
–
Cl O Na+ OH

Cu  Fe, 623K
NaOH 
+  

HCl
300 atm.
A

Chlorobenzene Sodium phenoxide Phenol

(ii) From benzenesulphonic acid : By fusing the sodium salt of benzenesulphonic acid with NaOH.
SO3H SO3Na OH


NaOH

NaOH + Na2SO3
B

300ºC

Benzenesulphonic acid Sod. benzenesulphonate Phenol

(iii) From diazonium salts : By adding benzene diazonium chloride (A diazonium salt is formed by treating an
aromatic primary amine with nitrous acid, NaNO2 + HCl at 273-278 K.) to a large volume of boiling
dilute H2SO4.
N2Cl OH

+ HOH 

heat + N2 + HCl

Benzenediazoniumchloride Phenol
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 (iv) Fr om cumene : From cumene hydroperoxide

CH3 CH3
| |
C6H6 + CH3CH = CH2 
AlCl3
 C6 H5 – CH  C6 H5 – C – O – O – H
O2

| |
CH3 CH 3
Benzene Propene Cumene Cumene hydroperoxide
H O

3 C6H5OH + (CH3)2CO
Phenol Acetone

11.4.3 Physical Properties

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(a) Alcohols : Alcohols are colourless with characteristic smell (alcoholic) liquid.
Melting points and Boiling points :
1
* Melting point and Boiling point  molecular mass 
No. of branches
* Boiling point of alcohols are higher than equivalent ethers. Due to H–bonding.
* Boiling point of alcohols are less than equivalent acid due to dimer formation in carboxylic acid.
Solubility :
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* They are soluble in water due to H–bonding. These are partially soluble in organic solvents
(Solubility  no. of side chains).
* The solubility decreases with increase in size of alkyl/aryl (hydrophobic) groups.

Water solubility
Soluble Insoluble

Short chain butanol pentanol Long chain

alcohols alcohols
* methanol hexanol
A

ethanol heptanol
isopropanol etc.

(b) Phenols : Physical properties of phenols are strongly influenced by hydroxyl group, which permits phenols
to form hydrogen bond with other phenol molecule causing high melting and boiling points and also with
water causing some (partial) solubility in water. This accounts why phenols have higher melting and boiling
B

points and are more soluble in water than arenes and alkyl halides of comparable molecular weight. Phenol
themselves are colourless solid (m.p. 41°C) the colour if any associated with phenols is either due to the
presence of some other functional group —NO2 or due to the presence of some oxidized product of
phenol as impurity.
Comparative solubility and boiling point is observed in the three isomers (o-m- and p) nitrophenols. p-
nitrophenol is capable of forming intermolecular H bond between themselves and with water too, hence it
has higher m.p. and more solubility in water m-Nitrophenol also behaves is the same way.

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 H
+ -
O O H O O + O H O
N
+ N O
+
N +
O
-
H
O
+
N - +
H O O O O H O H O-nitrophenol (intramolecular H-bond
restricts intermolecular H bonding)

H
p nitrophenol (intermolecular H bond
between two molecules (intermolecular H-bond with water)

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11.4.4 Chemical Reactions
Alcohols react both as nucleophiles and electrophiles.
Alcohols as nucleophiles

+H +
(i) R O H + + C R O C R O C +H

(ii) The bond between C–O is broken when they react as electrophiles. Protonated alcohols react in this
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manner.
Protonated alcohols as electrophiles
  – +
 R  CH 2  O H 2 ; Br + CH2 OH2
R  CH 2  OH  H  Br CH2 + H2O
R R
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ALCOHOLS
Chemical reactions of alcohols are classified in the following three types :
(A) Reactions involving the cleavage of O–H bond :– These are the reactions in which alcohol shows acidic
character.
A

The general order of reactivity of alcohols in this type of reaction is :

Primary > Secondary > Tertiary
(i) Reaction with metal : On reaction with active metals like – Na , K, Ca, Mg, Al, etc liberate hydrogen
2R–O–H + Na 2R–O–Na + H2
Sodium alkoxide
The acidic order of alcohols is : MeOH > 1º > 2º > 3º
B

(ii) Reaction with carboxylic acid (Esterification) :

R–O–H + H  O  C  R  R  C  O  R + H2O

2 4conc.H SO

|| ||
O O
alcohol acid
(iii) Reaction with Acid derivatives (Acetylation) :

R–O–H + X– C –R  R–O– C –R + HX

conc.H2SO4

|| ||
O O
Alcohol Acid halide Ester
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 R–O–H + R– C –O– C –R  R– C –O–R + RCOOH
conc.H2SO4

|| || ||
O O O
Acid anhydride Ester
(iv) Reaction with ethylene oxide :

R – O – H + CH 2 CH 2  CH 2  CH 2  ROH

 CH 2  CH 2
| | H2O | |
O OR OH OR OR
ethylene oxide 1, 2  dialkoxy ethane
(v) Reaction with Diazomethane :
R—O—H + CH2N2 R—O—CH3
Diazomethane (ether)

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(vi) Reaction with Grignard Reagent :–
OR
ROH + R'MgX  Mg + R'H
X
Alkane
(B) Reaction involving the cleavage of C–OH bond :
The order of reactivity in this type of reaction is – 3º alcohol > 2º alcohol > 1º alcohol
(i) Reaction with dry HX (Grove’s Process) :
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Reactivity order of halogen acid is HI > HBr > HCl > HF

R—OH + HX 
2  ZnCl
Anhydrous R—X + H2O
Alkyl halide
(ii) Reaction with PCl5 : R—OH + PCl5  R—Cl + POCl3 + HCl
Chloro alkane
(iii) Reaction with PCl3 : 3R—OH + PCl3  3R—Cl + H3PO3
Chloro alkane
A

(iv) Reaction with SOCl2 (Darzen reaction) :

R—OH + SOCl2    R—Cl + SO2 + HCl
Pyridine

Thionyl chloride Chloro alkane

(v) Reaction with ammonia : R—OH + NH3  2 anhy. ZnCl

300º C
RNH2 + H2O
B

Alkyl amine
(vi) Reaction with H2SO4 :
* 2C2H5OH + H2SO4 
0ºC
 (C2H5)2SO4 + 2H2O
2H O 2
(Diethyl Sulphate)
20o C 100o C
* C2H5OH + H2SO4 
 C2H5HSO4
Ethyl hydrogen sulphate

CH3–CH2–OH + H2SO4  CH3–CH2– O –CH2 – CH3
140ºC
*

(excess) Diethyl ether
BALAJI TUTORIALS 12 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

(C) General reaction of Alcohols :
(i) Oxidation : Useful in distinction of 1º, 2º and 3º alcohols.
(a) Primary alcohol initially forms aldehyde on oxidation and on further oxidation forms respective acid.
(b) Secondary alcohol initially forms respective ketone on oxidation which on further oxidation forms acid
of less carbon. Oxidation of ketone is slightly difficult than aldehyde due to stability so, we use strong
oxidising agent for oxidation.
(c) Tertiary alcohols are resistant to oxidation in normal conditions but on taking strongest oxidising agent
like chromic acid in dilute nitric acid then they form less carbon ketone.
(d) For oxidation of 1º alcohol, acidic KMnO4 is used as oxidant while for 2º alcohol acidic K2Cr2O7(more
strong than KMnO4) is used.
H
 O
 R  C  O
O + [O] 
4
RC  O
acidic KMnO
R C
| |

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H H H OH
1º Alcohol Aldehyde
CH3

R C O + [O] 
2 2 7
acidic K Cr O CH3   O
| CO2 + H2O + R  C  OH
||
H H R C  O O
LA
2º Alcohol Ketone Carboxylic acid
R
|
H 2CrO4  dil.HNO3
R  C  OH + [O]   R  C  R + CO2 + H2O
| ||
CH 3 O
3º alcohol (ketone of lesser carbon)

(ii) Reduction :

R–O–H + 2HI   R–H + H2O + I2

A

Re d P
150º C
(iii) Dehydrogenation :

H H R
| | |
 R  C  O + H2 ;  R  C  R + H2
Cu / ZnO
R CO R CO 
Cu / ZnO
300º
B

| | ||
300º
| |
H H aldehyde H H O
1º alcohol sec ondary alcohol Ketone

R
|
 R  C  R + H2O
Cu / ZnO
R  C  OH 300º
| ||
H2C  H CH 2
tert.alcohol alkene

BALAJI TUTORIALS 13 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 (iv) Dehydration : The elimination of water from a compound is known as dehydration. The alcohols on
dehydration yield alkene.
The order of case of dehydration is : Tertiary alcohols > Secondary alcohols > Primary alcohols.
The process of dehydration is done by heating the alcohols with concentrated sulphuric acid or alumina at
high temperature.

CH3CH2OH 2 3 CH2 = CH2 + H2O

Al O
350º C

CH3CH2OH  2 4
 CH2 = CH2 + H2O
Conc.H SO
170º C
Ethanol Ethene
(v) Oxidation through Fenton’s Reagent : Higher and branched alcohols are converted into diols through
Fenton’s reagent. (FeSO4 + H2O2) is Fenton’s reagent.

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•
Fe+2 + H2O2 Fe+3 + OH + OH

CH3 CH3
|  |
CH 3  C  CH 2  H  O H  CH3  C  CH 2  H 2 O
•

| |
OH OH
LA
CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3
CH3 C CH2 + CH2 C CH3  CH3 C CH2 CH2 C CH3

OH OH OH OH
2, 5-Dimethyl hexandiol
(vi) Self Condensation :When alcohol is heated with sodium ethoxide then by self condensation they convert
into higher alcohol.
A


R–CH2–CH2–OH + H– CH –CH2–OH   R–CH2–CH2– R – CH2–OH
C2 H5 O Na

|  H 2 O |
R CH
higher alcohol
The above reaction is called as Guerbet’s Reaction.
B

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PHENOLS

(A) Acidity of phenols: The most characteristic property of phenols is their acidity. Phenols are more acidic than
alcohols which are even more weakly acidic than water, but phenols are less acidic than carboxylic acids.
R—COOH > Ar—OH > H—OH > R—OH
Acidic character of phenols is :
(i) Greater acidity of a phenol than an alcohol is due to possibility of resonance in phenol which leads to
electron-deficient oxygen atom. Presence of electron-deficient oxygen atom (see structures II, III and IV)

in turn weakens the — O —  H bond, and thus facilitates release of proton.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 14 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 O—H O—H O—H O—H

I II III IV

Such structures are not possible in alcohols.

(ii) Once hydrogen atom is removed from phenol, the ion (phenoxide) is very much stabilized due to delocal-
ization of its negative charge.

O O O O

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V VI VII VIII
Resonance in phenoxide ion (note that structures VI to VIII are equivalent)
LA
Remember that phenoxide ion is more stable than the parent compound phenol because phenoxide ion
does not involve charge separation, while in phenol three equivalent resonating structures (II to IV) involve
charge separation.
(iii) Electron-withdrawing substituents increase the acidity of phenols; while electron releasing substituents
decrease acidity. Thus substituents affect acidity of phenols in the same way as they affect acidity of
carboxylic acids; it is of course, opposite to the way these groups affect basicity of amines.

OH O
A

H 

G G

G withdraws electrons, thus disperses the –ve charge of the ion, stabilizes it and hence increases ionization

of the parent phenol. (where G = —NO2, —CN, —CHO, —COOH, — N R 3 , —X)
B

OH O

H 
(where G = —R, —OR, —NR2)

G G

G releases electrons, thus intensifies the –ve charge of the ion, destabilizes it and hence decreases ioniza-
tion of the parent phenol.
BALAJI TUTORIALS 15 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

(B) Reaction of – OH group :
(i) Action of ferric chloride : Unlike alcohols, phenols give characteristic colour with neutral ferric chloride
solution.
The characteristic colour is believed to be due to the formation of coloured co-ordination compounds.
Reaction of phenols with ferric chloride is used in analytic chemistry for distinguishing phenols from carboxylic
acids.
(ii) Reduction with zinc dust : Phenols, when distilled with zinc dust, give aromatic hydrocarbon.
C6H5OH + Zn  distil
 C6H6 + ZnO
Phenol Benzene
(iii) Alkylation : (a) Phenol is alkylated to give Phenolic ethers is the presence of alkali with alkyl halides for
example
OH OCH3

JI
+ NaOH + CH3I  + H2O + NaI

Methylphenylether or
Anisole or Methoxybenzene
OH OC2H5


LA
+ C2H5I NaOH + NaI + H2O

Ethylphenylether or
Phenetole or Ethoxy benzene
Phenol can be methylated by treatment with diazomethane.
OH OCH3

+ CH2N2 
Ether
 + N2 

Anisole
A

(iv) Acylation :
OH OCOCH3

+ CH3COCl  + NaCl + H2O

NaOH
B

Phenol Acetyl chloride Phenyl acetate

(v) Reaction with PCl5 : Chlorobenzene is formed in low yield and mainly triphenyl phosphate is formed.
OH Cl

+ PCl5  + POCl3 + HCl

Phenol Chorobenzene
3C6H5OH + POCl3  (C6H5)3PO4 + 3HCl
(Triphenylphosphate)
BALAJI TUTORIALS 16 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 (vi) Reaction with NH3 : Aniline is obtained
OH NH2
+ NH3  + H2O
ZnCl2 anhyd
300ºC

Phenol Aniline

(C) Reaction of Benzene ring : The – OH group in phenol, being activating group, facilitates further substitution
in the ortho and para positions. In fact, the – OH group is so highly activating that unless precautions are taken,
polysubstitution takes place.
(i) Halogenation : Phenols when treated with aqueous solution of halogens undergo halogenation very rapidly
to form polyhalogene derivatives. For example,

OH OH

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Br Br



3 Br (aq.)
2

Br
Phenol 2, 4, 6-Tribromophenol (white ppt.)
In fact, phenols are so reactive towards bromine water that even substituent like – SO3H, – NO2,
– COOH, etc. if present, in o-and p-positions, may be replaced by halogens.
LA
Polyhalogenation while using water as solvent is because of the fact that water (a highly polar solvent)
facilitates the ionisation of phenol to phenoxide ion which is more reactive than phenol towards electrophilic
substitution.
For preparing monohalogen derivatives, halogenation is carried out at low temperature and in non-polar
solvents such as carbon tetrachloride or carbon disulphide. For example,
OH
OH OH
Br

2
2Br in CS
+
0ºC
A

Br
Phenol o-Bromophenol (minor) p-Bromophenol (major)
Non-polar solvents (CS2, CCl4) decreases the electrophilic character of Br2 and minimizes ionization of
phenol.
(ii) Nitration : With dilute nitric acid, phenol giving a mixture of o- and p- nitrophenols.
The relatively low yields are due to oxidation of phenol by nitric acid. Since o-nitrophenol is more volatile
B

than the para, the two isomers can be separated by steam distillation.
OH
OH OH
NO2


dil. HNO3 +
NO2
o-Nitrophenol (40%) p-Nitrophenol (~ 10%)
Nitration of phenol with concentrated nitric acid or a nitrating reagent gives 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (picric
acid). However, the yield is low because of excessive oxidation of phenol.
BALAJI TUTORIALS 17 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 OH
OH NO2 NO2


3
conc. HNO

NO2

Phenol 2, 4, 6-Trinitrophenol
(iii) Sulphonation : Sulphonation of phenols occurs readily giving a mixture of o- and p- isomers; o-isomer
predominates at low temperature while p-isomer at high temperatures. Further, the o-isomer can be
changed to p-isomer on heating.
OH
OH OH
SO3H

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
 

H 2SO4 H 2SO4
100ºC 15 25ºC

SO3H
p-Phenolsulphonic Phenol o-Phenolsulphonic acid
(iv) Friedel - Craft reaction : Phenols undergo Friedel-Craft alkylation and acylation forming predominantly
para isomers. However, the yields are poor presumably due to over activity of phenols.
LA
OH OH OH
R


RX
(a) Alkylation : AlCl3
+

OH
OH OH
COR


RCOX
(b) Acylation : +
A

AlCl3

COR
(v) Kolbe reaction : When sodium salt of a phenol is heated with carbon dioxide gas at 120–140ºC under
pressure (6–7 atmospheres), a carboxyl group is introduced mainly in the ortho position with respect to
the phenolic group to form o-hydroxy benzoates. This reaction is known as Kolbe reaction. A small
amount of p-isomer is also obtained. However, if the reaction is carried out at high temperature, p-isomer
B

is the main product.

ONa OH OH
COONa COOH
+ CO2 
125ºC H


6  7 atm

Sodium phenoxide Sod. salicylate Salicylic acid

(Main product)
(vi) Riemer-Tiemann reaction : (reaction between phenol and alkaline chloroform or carbon tetrachloride
to form salicylaldehyde and salicylic acid respectively). On treating phenol with chloroform in the presence
of sodium hydroxide, a –CHO group is introduced at ortho position of benzene ring. The intermediate
BALAJI TUTORIALS 18 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 substituted benzal chloride is hydrolysed in the presence of alkali to produce salicylaldehyde.
OH OH

+ CHCl3 + 3NaOH  + 3NaCl + 2H2O

CHO
Phenol o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde
(Salicylaldehyde)

OH OH

+ CCl4 + 4NaOH  + 4NaCl + 2H2O

COOH
Phenol o-Hydroxybenzoic acid

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(Salicylic acid)
(vii)Gattermann’s reaction : Phenol when treated with liquid hydrogen cyanide and HCl gas is presence of
anhydrous AlCl3 yields mainly p-hydroxy benzaldehyde [formylation].
HCl + H – C  N  AlCl3
 Cl – HC = NH
OH
OH OH
LA
+ ClHC = NH   
AlCl3 2 
H O
(–HCl) (– NH3 )

CH = NH CHO

(p-hydroxy benzaldehyde)
(viii) Mercuration :
Phenol when heated with mercuric acetate undergoes mercuration to form o- & p-isomers.
OH OH OH

+ (CH3COO)2 Hg  HgOCOCH3
+
A

HgOCOCH3

o- & p- hydroxy phenyl mercuric acetate

(ix) Hydrogenation :
Phenols when hydrogenated in presence of nickel catalyst at about 150–200ºC give the corresponding
B

cyclohexanol.
OH OH


Ni
+ 3H2
150  200ºC

Phenol Cyclohexanol

11.5 SOME COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT ALCOHOLS

(i) Methanol : Methanol, CH3OH, also known as ‘wood spirit’, was produced by destructive distillation of
wood. Most of the methanol is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide at high pressure
BALAJI TUTORIALS 19 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 and temperature and in the presence of ZnO – Cr2O3 catalyst.
ZnOCr O
CO  2H 2 
2 3  CH OH
3
200300atm, 573 673K
Methanol is a colourless liquid and boils at 337 K. It is highly poisonous in nature. Ingestion of even small
quantities of methanol can cause blindness and large quantities causes even death. Methanol is used as a
solvent in paints, varnishes and chiefly for making formaldehyde.
(ii) Ethanol : Ethanol, C2H5OH, is obtained commercially by fermentation, the oldest method is from sugars.
Nowadays, large quantities of ethanol are obtained by hydration of ethene. Ethanol is a colourless liquid
with boiling point 351 K. It is used as a solvent in paint industry and in the preparation of a number of
carbon compounds. The commercial alcohol is made unfit for drinking by mixing in it some copper sulphate
(to give it a colour) and pyridine (a foul smelling liquid). It is known as denaturation of alcohol.

Difference between Methanol and Ethanol :

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Methanol Ethanol
1. When CH3OH is heated on Cu coil it gives 1. Ethanol does not give formalin like smell.
formalin like smell
2. When CH3OH is heated with salicylic acid in 2. No such odour is given by ethanol
H2SO4 (conc.) then methyl salicylate is
formed which has odour like winter green oil
LA
Fermentation : The enzyme invertase present in yeast converts sucrose (canesugar) into glucose and fructose.
C6 H 22O11  6H 2 O  C6 H12O6  C6 H12O6
invertase

sucrose glu cose fructose

The enzyme zymase present in yeast, then converts glucose, and fructose to etehanol.


 2C2 H5OH  2CO2 (g)
zymase
C6 H12 O6
glu cose or fructose ethanol
The fermentation process gets completed in about 5 days. The fermentated liquor (called wort) contains about
A

8-10% ethanol. Ethanol (95.6%) is obtained by the fractional distillation of the fermented liquour (wort).

11.6 ETHERS
11.6.1 Preparation of Ethers
1. Intermolecular dehydration of alcohols : Alcohols undergo dehydration in the presence of protic acids
(H2SO4, H3PO4). The formation of the reaction product, alkene or ether depends on the reaction conditions.
B

For example, ethanol is dehydrated to ethene in the presence of sulphuric acid at 443 K. At 413 K, ethoxyethane
is the main product.

2 4  CH  CH
H SO
 443 K 2 2


CH3CH 2 OH 

 H 2SO 4
  C 2 H5 OC2 H 5
413 K
The formation of ether is a nucleophilic bimolecular reaction (SN2) involving the attack of alcohol molecule on
a protonated alcohol, as indicated below:
BALAJI TUTORIALS 20 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 H
(i) CH 2 CH 2  O
. .  H  H 
 
 CH 3  CH 2  O
  H
..

.. + H +
(ii) CH3 CH2 – O: + CH – CH – O CH 3CH2 – O – CH 2CH 3 + H2O
3 2
H
H H
+
(iii) CH3CH2 – O – CH2CH3 CH3CH2 – O – CH2CH3 + H +
H
Acidic dehydration of alcohols, to give an alkene is also associated with substitution reaction to give an ether.
The method is suitable for the preparation of ethers having primary alkyl groups only.
2. Williamson’s Synthesis: Heating of alkyl halide with sodium or potassium alkoxide gives ether. This is a good

JI
method for preparation of simple as well as mixed ethers.
R—X + Na—O— R'  R—O—R' + NaX.
The reactivity of primary (1°) alkyl halide is in the order CH3 > CH3—CH2 > CH3—CH2—CH2 and the
tendency of the alkyl halide to undergo elimination is 3° > 2° > 1°. Hence for better yield the alkyl halide should
be primary of the alkoxide should be secondary or tertiary.
| |
C2 H5 Br  NaO — C — 
 C 2 H5 — O — C —
LA
| |
This method is not applicable to tert. alkyl halides because the alkoxide ions being both powerful nucleophiles
and bases could being dehydrogenation of the tertiary alkyl halides to form alkenes.
R – ONa R – O– + Na+

R — O — Na  R  — X 
 R — O — R  NaX

R  — O — Na R —O—R
R —X  

Ar — O — Na R — O — Ar
A

Aryl Ether

Ex. —OH  CH3—CH2— Br aq.NaOH

   —O —CH2 — CH3

11.6.2 Physical properties of Ethers

* Dimethyl ether and ethyl methyl ether are gases. All others are colourless liquids with pleasant odour.
B

* They are sparingly soluble in water but readily soluble in organic solvents. Pentane is essentially immiscible
with water because alcohols, oxygen of ether can also form hydrogen bonds with water molecule as shown:
H .. H
R .. .O.
.O. ..
R H .O. H
* Boiling points of ether show a gradual increase with increase in molecular weight. Ethers have low boiling
points than isomeric alcohols as there is no association between the molecules in an alcohol due to hydro-
gen boding. The boiling points of ethers are close to the boiling points of alkanes.
* They are lighter than water lower ethers are highly volatile and very inflammable.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 21 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

11.6.3 Chemical Properties of Ethers
(A) Halogenation :
(i) In dark : Halogen reacts with ether in dark and substitutes  and ' hydrogen atoms.

Cl
' '   |
C H3  C H 2  O  C H 2  C H3 + 2Cl —Cl 
  CH 3  CH  O  CH  CH 3
dark
+ 2HCl
|
Cl

, '–dichlorodiethyl ether

(ii) In Light :
CH3–CH2–O–CH2–CH3 + 10Cl2  h
 CCl3 – CCl2 – O – CCl2 – CCl3 + 10HCl
perchloroether

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(B) Oxidation : When ether is left open in air, it reacts with atmospheric oxygen and forms peroxide.
CH3 CH2 1 CH3 CH2
O + O 2  O O C2H5—O—O—C2H5
2
CH3 CH2 CH3 CH2
Ether peroxide
When ether is exposed to air for a long time then the above peroxide changes into another peroxide which is
LA
called as “Ethoxy ethyl hydroperoxide’ and is more explosive in nature.

H
1 |
C2H5–O–O–C2H5 + O 2  2 5 C H  O  C  CH 3
2 |
OOH
(C) Reaction with HX : ethoxy ethyl hydroperoxide
(a) If HX is cold :
CH3 – O – CH2 – CH3 + HX(cold)  CH3 – X + C2H5OH
If we take unsymmetrical ether with cold H—X then smaller alkyl group forms alkyl halide.
A

(b) If HX is hot :

CH3 – CH2 – O – CH2 – CH3 + 2H–X 
 2CH3–CH2–X + H2O

CH3–O–CH2–CH3 + 2H–X   CH3–X + C2H5X + H2O
The above reaction is called ‘Ziesel’s Method of Alkoxy group estimation’. If we take unsymmetrical ether
B

with hot H — X then we get two different types of alkyl halide and by the test of both alkyl halide we can
confirm alkoxy group of ether.
(D) Reaction with PCl5 : C2H5 – O – C2H5 + PCl5 2C2H5Cl + POCl3
Reduction : C2H5 – O – C2H5 + 2H 
3  C H + C H – OH
Na /liq.NH
(E) 2 6 2 5
(F) Reaction with H2SO4 :
(a) With conc. H2SO4

C2H5—O—C2H5 + 2H2SO4  2C2H5HSO4 + H2O
Ethyl hydrogen sulphate
(b) With dil. H2SO4 : C2H5 – O – C2H5 + H – OH 
2 4 dil.H SO
C2H5OH
BALAJI TUTORIALS 22 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

11.6.4 Aryl Ethers :
Phenols are converted to alkyl aryl ethers by reaction in alkaline solution with aryl halide. For the preparation
of aryl methyl ethers, dimethyl sulphate (CH3)2SO4 is frequently used instead of more expensive methyl halide.

Electrophilic substitution : The alkoxy group (–OR) is ortho, para directing and activates the aromatic ring
towards electrophilic substitution in the same way as in phenol.
.. .. .. + .OR
.
: OR + OR + OR : OR

I IV V
II III

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(i) Halogenation: Phenylalkyl ethers undergo usual halogenation in the benzene ring, e.g., anisole undergoes
bromination with bromine in ethanoic acid even in the absence of iron (III) bromide catalyst. It is due to the
activation of benzene ring by the methoxy group. Para isomer is obtained in 90% yield.

Anisole 
2 
Br in
p-Bromoanisole (Major) + o-Bromoanisole (minor)
Ethanoic acid
LA
(ii) Friedel-Crafts reaction: Anisole undergoes Friedel-Crafts reaction, i.e., the alkyl and acyl groups are
introduced at ortho and para positions by reaction with alkyl halide and acyl halide in the presence of
anhydrous aluminium chloride (a Lewis acid) as catalyst.

OCH3 OCH3
OCH3
CH3

+ CH3Cl 
3

Anhyd. AlCl
CS
+
2

2-Methoxy toluene CH3

A

(Minor) 4-Methoxy toluene

(Major)

OCH3 OCH3 OCH3

COCH3
B

+ CH3COCl 

Anhyd. AlCl3
+

2-Methoxy aceotophenone COCH3

(Minor)
4-Methoxy aceotophenone
(Major)

(iii) Nitration: Anisole reacts with a mixture of concentrated sulphuric and nitric acids to yield a mixture of
ortho and para nitroanisole.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 23 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 OCH3 OCH3 OCH3
NO2


2 4
H SO
HNO3
+
2-Nitroanisole NO2
(Minor)
4-Nitroanisole
11.6.5 Uses of ethers : (Major)
1. Alcohol + ether Natelite Used in place of petrol
2. Ether is also called as inert solvent of aliphatic chemistry, due to inertness of oxygen.

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3. Due to inertness of oxygen, it is best solvent for preparation of highly reactive compounds such as G.R.
4. It is used as an anesthetic. Other compounds such as ethrane and isoflurane also used as an anaesthetic.

LEARNING CHECK-2
Q.1 Are alcohols considered to be polar or nonpolar compounds?
Q.2 For the following compounds, what would be the order of their boiling points?
LA
CH3
|
(a) CH3CH2OH (b) CH3  C  OH (c) CH3OH (d) CH3CH2CH2CH2OH
|
CH3
Q.3 Arrange the following molecules in order of increasing solubility in water
CH3
|
(a) CH3CH2OH (b) CH3  C  OH
A

|
CH3

CH 3
|
(c) CH 3CH 2CH 2CH 2 CH 2 CH 2OH (d) CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2OH
B

Q.4 What is the typical strength of a hydrogen bond in water?

Q.5 Why are hydrogen bonds so strong?
Q.6 What is the pKa of Ethanol?
Q.7 How would you rank the following Alcohols in order of increasing acidity?
CH3
|
(a) CH3  C  OH (b) CH3OH (c) CH3CH2OH (d) CH3  CH  OH
| |
CH3 CH3
Q.8 Write the equation for the acidity constant of methanol.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 24 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

Q.9 How do the pKa’s of alcohols compare to that of water?
Q.10 What is the boiling point of the most common Ether, Diethyl Ether?
Q.11 How do the boiling points of Ethers compare with those of similar hydrocarbons?
Q.12 Place the following groups of compounds in decreasing order of acidity and justify your answers.
(a) Phenol (A), o-nitrophenol (B), m-nitrophenol (C), p-nitrophenol (D);
(b) Phenol (A), o-chlorophenol (E), m-chlorophenol (F), p-chlorophenol (G); and
Q.13 Write the names of the reagents and equations for the preparation of the following ethers by Williamson synthe-
sis : (i) 1-propoxypropane (ii) Ethoxybenzene (iii) 2-methyl-2-methoxypropane (iv) 1-methoxyethane

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
Example 1 :
What is the IUPAC procedure for naming an alcohol?
Sol. The longest carbon chain containing the hydroxyl is selected as the parent chain and is numbered from the end

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closest to the – OH group. The -e suffix of the parent chain's name is changed to -ol and a number is used to
show the position of the alcohol group. Other substituents are named as side chains and numbered appropriately.
When the hydroxyl is attached to a cycloalkane, then the ring is numbered so that the carbon with the – OH is
number 1, unless a different numbering system is required (as in bicyclic ring systems).

Example 2 :
What would the common names be for the following molecules?
LA
CH3 CH3 OH
| |
(a) HO – CH (b) CH3  C  OH (c) H3C  C  CH 2CH3 (d) CH3 – OH
| |
CH3 H
CH3
Sol. (a) Isopropyl Alcohol or isopropanol, (b) tert-butyl alcohol or tert-butanol,
(c) sec-butyl alcohol, (d) Methyl alcohol

Example 3 :
Due to differences in reactivity, Alcohols are often divided into three classes. What are they?
A

Sol. Alcohols are generally classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary, referring to the alkyl substitution on the
Carbon with the hydroxyl group.

Example 4 :
Ethanol has a boiling point of 78°C, while the isomeric compound dimethyl ether has a boiling point of –24°C.
Why is this?
B

Sol. Ethanol is capable of hydrogen bonding, while Dimethyl Ether is not. The strong dipole-dipole attractions
between the Ethanol molecules cause the boiling point to be much higher than would normally be expected for
a molecule of that size.

Example 5 :
Why is Ethanol infinitely soluble in water while Nonanol is not?
Sol. Small Alcohols are freely soluble in water due to their ability to hydrogen bond. Larger molecules are less
soluble because of the increase in the size of the non-polar hydrocarbon portion of their structure.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 25 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

Example 6 :
What structural features effect the boiling point of an Alcohol?
Sol. The most important structural feature in determining an Alcohol's boiling point is its ability to hydrogen bond.
Beyond that, increasing size of the alkyl chain increases the boiling point, as does an increase in the number of
hydroxyl groups. Increased branching around the hydroxyl bearing Carbon will lower an Alcohol's boiling point
relative to other isomeric Alcohols due to decreased accessibility of the – OH.

Example 7 :
What is the solubility of alcohols in water?
Sol. Smaller alcohols are totally miscible with water. Solubility decreases as the size of the alkyl portion of the
molecule increases. Solubility increases with an increasing number of hydroxyl groups.

Example 8 :

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What is Ethylene Glycol, and what is it typically used for?
Sol. Ethylene Glycol is also known as 1,2-Ethanediol. It is typically used as a major component in antifreeze.

Example 9 :
Alcohols can act as both weak acids and weak bases. How is this possible?
Sol. Alcohols contain both a proton that can be donated (the one attached to the Oxygen) and unshared pairs of
electrons that can be donated (on the Oxygen.) Alcohols can therefore act as both Lewis acids and Lewis
bases.
LA
Example 10 :
Tert-Butyl Alcohol is a much weaker acid in water than Ethanol. Why is this?
Sol. The strength of an acid has a lot to do with the stability of the anion that is formed upon loss of the proton. The
more stable the anion, the stronger the acid. Ethanol and tert-butanol both form anions with the negative charge
on an Oxygen. But in water, solvation of the anion by water molecules can contribute to the ion's stability. The
uncrowded ethoxide is much better solvated than the crowded tert-butoxide, and is therefore better stabilized.
So ethanol ends up being more acidic in water.

Example 11 :
A

Write the balanced equation for the reaction between sodium metal and ethanol.
Sol. 2CH3CH2OH + 2Na 2CH3CH2O–Na+ + H2.

Example 12 :
Besides reaction with active metals, how else may an Alcohol be converted to its alkoxide salt?
Sol. Treatment of an alcohol with any base stronger than alkoxide will convert it to an alkoxide salt. Sodium hydride
B

(NaH) is often used for this purpose.

Example 13 :
Name the following salts.
CH3 H3C
| –
(a) CH3O–Na+ (b) CH3  C  O  Li  (c) CH – O K+
|
CH3 H3C
Sol. (a) Sodium methoxide, (b) Lithium t-butoxide, (c) Potassium isopropoxide
BALAJI TUTORIALS 26 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

Example 14 :
What reaction conditions are necessary for conversion of primary and secondary alcohols?
Sol. Primary and secondary Alcohols do not react with HCl at reasonable rates. Treatment with HBr and HI at
reflux temperatures will convert them to alkyl halides, but rearrangement of secondary alcohols sometimes
occurs.

Example 15 :
When 3-pentanol is reacted with concentrated HBr under reflux conditions, the major product is 3-bromopentane,
but some 2-bromopentane is also obtained. How could this happen?
Sol. This product is the result of a rearrangement of the secondary carbocation produced in the reaction.

Example 16 :
How are Ethers named in IUPAC nomenclature?

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Sol. The longest carbon chain is chosen as the parent compound and the smaller – OR substituent is named as an
alkoxy substituent.

Example 17 :
What is the method for forming the common names of Ethers?
Sol. The alkyl groups attached to the oxygen are listed in alphabetical order and the word ether is then added. If the
ether is symmetric, then the prefix di- is used before the name of the alkyl group.
LA
Example 18 :
Draw the structures of the following compounds using their common names as a guide.
(a) Dibutyl Ether (b) Isobutyl Methyl Ether
(c) Cyclopentyl Ethyl Ether (d) Tert-Butyl Butyl Ether
H3C
CHCH2 – O – CH3
Sol. (a) CH3CH2CH2CH2 – O – CH2CH2CH2CH3 (b)
H3C

CH3
A

|
(c) O – CH2CH3 (d) H3C  C  O  CH 2CH 2 CH 2 CH3
|
CH3
B

Example 19 :
Why do Ethers boil so much lower than isomeric Alcohols?
Sol. Alcohols are capable of hydrogen bonding, which increases the strength of the intermolecular forces between
the Alcohol molecules, and hence raises their boiling points. Since Ethers do not have a Hydrogen bonded to
their Oxygen atom, they cannot hydrogen bond to one another.

Example 20 :
How will you separate o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol.
Sol. ortho and para isomer of nitrophenol can be separated by steam distillation. o-nitrophenol is more volatile
isomer because its hydrogen bonding in intramolecular p-nitrophenol is less volatile because intermolecular
hydrogen bonding causes association among its molecule. Thus o-nitrophenol passes over with the steam and

BALAJI TUTORIALS 27 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 p-nitrophenol remains in the distillation flask.

O O
O
N H HO— N
+
O
O OH— +
N
O
O

o-nitrophenol (intramolecular H p-nitrophenol (intermolecular H

bonding more volatile) bonding less volatile)

Example 21 :
How will you convert phenol to aspirin ? Give chemical equation.

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OCOCH3
OH OH COOH
COOH

Sol. +CCl4 + 4 KOH – + (CH3CO)2O 

Heat
 + CH3COOH
Aspirin
Phenol Salicyclic acid (2-Acetoxybenzoic acid)

Example 22 :
LA
What happens when ethyl alcohol is heated with red phosphorus and HI ?
C2H5OH + 2HI  C6H6 + I2 + 2H2O
Red P
Sol.

Example 23 :
What happens when cumene is treated with oxygen and the product is hydrolysed with dilute acid ?
CH3
Heat OH
CH3 – CH – CH3 + O2 CH3 – C – O – O – H
(air) H2O/H+
A

+ CH3COCH3
Sol.
Acetone
Cumene hydroperoxide Phenol
Cumene

Example 24 :
B

Write the mechanism of the following reaction: CH3CH2OH 

HBr
 CH3CH2Br + H2O
  
Sol. Step I : Protonation of alcohol – CH3  CH 2  OH 
H Br
 CH3  CH 2  O H 2
(oxonium ion)

 
Step II : Formation of carbocation – CH3  CH 2  O H 2 
 CH3  C H 2
 
Step III : Attack of nucleophile on carbocation – CH3  C H 2 
Br
 CH3  CH 2  Br

BALAJI TUTORIALS 28 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

 CONCEPT MAP
* Nomenclature of alcohols : • The alcohols containing three • When the carbon atom having the alcohols are weaker acids than water.
In IUPAC system, the name of an –OH group in their molecules are – OH group is attached to three car- Acidic strength decreases from pri-
alcohol is obtained by replacing the called trihydric alcohols. bon atoms, the alcohol is termed as mary to tertiary alcohol.
last ‘e’ in the name of the parent • The alcohols containing four or a tertiary (3°) alcohol. * Oxidation of alcohols :

BALAJI TUTORIALS
alkane, alkene or alkyne by the suf- more – OH group in their molecules * Order of reactivity in alcohols : A primary alcohol gets oxidised
fix of ‘ol’. The positions of the side- are termed polyhydric alcohols. Tertiary alcohol > Secondary alco- easily to give acid having the same
B
chain, and the hydroxyl group are
indicated by the numerals describ-
ing the serial numbers of the car-
bon atom to which these are at-
• When the carbon atom having the
– OH group is attached to only one
carbon atom, the alcohol is termed
as a primary (1°) alcohol.
hol > Primary alcohol
This is due to the increase in the
inductive effect of the alkyl groups
in going from primary to secondary
number of carbon atoms.
A secondary alcohol gets oxidised
easily to give a ketone having lesser
number of carbon atoms. This ke-
tached. The lowest possible num- • When the carbon atom having the and to the tertiary alcohols. tone gets oxidised only vigorous
ber being given to the carbon atom – OH group is attached to two car- * Acid strength of alcohols : The H conditions to form a mixture of car-
attached to the hydroxyl group.
* Classification :
• The alcohols containing one – OH
group in their molecules are called
monohydric alcohols.
A bon atom, the alcohol is termed as a
secondary (2°) alcohol.
atom of the – OH group in alcohols
in acidic in nature. However,
boxylic acids. Both the acids con-
tain lesser number of C-atoms.
A tertiary alcohol undergoes oxi-
dation only under vigorous condi-
tions to finally give an acid, CO2

29
• The alcohols containing two – OH and H2O. The acid contains lesser
group in their molecules are called number of C-atoms than the alco-
dihydric alcohols. ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS hol.

AND ETHERS
* Esterification : Alcohols react with
carboxylic acids in the presence of chloride are good acetylating
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conc. sulphuric acid to form esters. * Boiling poins of phenols : Phenols
agents.
This reaction is known as esterifi- have boiling points higher than the
* Luca’s test : Luca’s reagent is a mix-
cation. Esterification involves corresponding aromatic hydrocar-
ture of concentrated hydrochloric
cleavage of the O – H bond of alco- bon. This is due to intermolecular
acid and anhydrous zinc chloride
hol. hydrogen bonding in phenols.
(1 : 1). Different alcohols react with The enzyme zymase present in yeast,
* Acylation and acetylation : The re- * Effect of substituents on the acid
Lucas reagent at different rates. So then converts glucose, and fructose
action in which H of the – OH group strength of phenols :
the time taken by an alcohol to form to etehanol.
of alcohol is replaced by acyl • The electron-withdrawing substitu-
turbidity gives an indication about

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(RCO–) group is ca lled acylation. ent on the ring increases the acid
its nature.
When H-atom of the – OH group of strength. Some electron-withdraw-
* Fermentation : The enzyme inver-
an alcohol is replaced by CH3CO – ing groups are, – NO2,
tase present in yeast converts su-
group, the reaction is called acety- – CN, – X (halogen). So, nitrophenol
crose (canesugar) into glucose and
is more acidic than phenol.
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lation. Acetic anhydride and acetyl fructose.

ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

 CONCEPT MAP
• The electron-releasing substituents activates the aromatic ring towards atleast one aryl group are called aro- derivative of the parent alkane. The
tend to decrease the acid strength of electrophilic sustitution at ortho and matic ethers. following points are to be kept in
phenol. Some electron releasing para positions to the – OH group. * Nomenclature of ethers : mind while naming ethers.
groups are alkyl (–R), amino (– NH2), As a result electrophilic substitution (a) Write down the names of the two (a) The ethernal oxygen is taken

BALAJI TUTORIALS
hydroxyl (– OH) etc. So, cresol is less in phenols takes place more readily groups (alkyl or aryl) in the with the smallest alkyl group. Thus,
acidic than the corresponding phe- than in benzene at ortho and para alphabatical order, and add the word the name of the alkoxy group is de-
nol.
B
• The effect of any substituent is more
significant when it is present in ortho
or para position, than in meta posi-
positions.
* Ethers : Ethers are the organic com-
pounds having the general formula
R – O – R', where R and R' may be
ether at the end.
(b) When the two groups are the
same, then a prefix di is added be-
fore the name of the group. For ex-
rived from the name of the smaller
alkyl group. For example, CH3O– is
methoxy, and C2 H5O– is ethoxy
group.
tion. same or different, and aliphatic or ample, the ether, CH3 – O – CH3 con- (b) The R group having the longest
* Electrophilic substitution : Phenol aromatic. tains two methyl groups. So, its carbon chain is chosen as the par-
undergo electrophilic substitution Ethers in which both the groups are common name is dimethyl ether. ent alkane.
reactions.
• The – OH group is an ortho and para
directing group.
• The – OH group is an atrractive
A alkyl groups are called aliphatic
ethers, while the ethers having
* In IUPAC system, an ether is re-
garded as the alkoxy (– OR)
(c) The position of the alkoxy group
is indicated by the serial number of
the carbon atom to which it is at-
tached.
group. So the – OH group in phenol, (d) The numbering is done so as to

30
assign the lowest number to the
ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS
AND ETHERS
carbon atom in accordance with the
order of preference given to the func- * Solubility : Ethers are soluble in wa-
tional groups. The order of prefer- R – O – R + HX ROH + RX undergo cleavage (hydrolysis)
ter. This is because ethers form hy-
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ence is, – COOH, – COOR, – COCl, when treated with a halogen acid
drogen bonds with water. Solubility ehter halogen alcohol halo
–CONH2, – CHO, – CN, > C = O, producing phenol,and a haloalkane.
of ethers in water decreases with acid alkane
– OH, – NH2, – O – (ether), double C6H5–OCH3 + HI
size of the alkyl groups. (b) At higher temperature or when the
bond, triple bond, halogen, – NO2, * Change of dialkyl ethers by acids acid is in excess, only a haloalkane C6H5OH + CH3I
–R using halogen acids : Ethers are or a mixture of haloalkanes is ob- In this reaction, haloarene and an
* Boiling point: The boiling points of easily cleave by HI or HBr. The na- tained. alcohol is not formed.
ethers are much lower than those of ture of products of the reaction de- R – O – R + 2HX 2RX + H2O * Nature of alkoxy group : Alkoxy
alcohols and carboxylic acids of pend upon the reaction conditions. group is ortho- and para-directing.

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

comparable mass. This is due to the The order of the reactivity is, ether (excess) halo
Thus, the aromatic ethers undergo
absence of hydrogen bonding in HI > HBr > HCl alkane
electrophilic substitution in the
ethers. (a) In cold, an alcohol and a * Cleavage of alky-aryl ethers by halo-
benzene ring at the ortho- and para-
haloalkane are formed. gen acids : The alkyl-aryl ethers
positions.
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ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

 ANSWERS TO LEARNING CHECK  1
(1) An hydroxyl group (OH) bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon.
(2) The bond angles are 108.9 degrees.
(3) Instead of using an -ol ending to replace the –e of the parent alkane name, the –e is retained and the suffix
becomes -diol, -triol, etc. to indicate the number of hydroxyls present.
(4) (a) (E)-4-Hepten-2-01, (b) 3-Methyl-3-cyclohexenol, (c) Bicyclo [3.3.0] oct-3-en-2-ol.
(5) (a) 1°, (b) 2°, (c) 2°, (d) 2°
(6) (a) 2-Ethoxyethanol, (b) Methoxycyclohexane, (c) 1-Propoxy butane, (d) 2-lsopropoxy-2-methylpropane
(7) Diethyl ether : CH3CH2OCH2CH3

ANSWERS TO LEARNING CHECK  2

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(1) All alcohols have a very polar hydroxyl group, but the measured polarity of the compound depends on its
structure. Smaller alcohols are very polar while alcohols with longer hydrocarbon chains tend to be less so.
(2) From lowest to highest boiling point: c, a, b, d.
(3) From lowest to highest solubility: c, d, b, a.
(4) The strength of the hydrogen bond between water molecules is about 5 kcal/mol (21 kJ/mol).
(5) Hydrogen bonding is possible when a proton is bonded to a Fluorine, Oxygen, or Nitrogen. These three
elements are extremely electronegative (F = 4.0, O = 3.5, N = 3.0). Hydrogen only has an electronegativity of
only 2.1, but more importantly, when electron density is attracted away from the bonded hydrogen it leaves
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behind a very concentrated positive charge. The nucleus of the hydrogen is not shielded by inner shells of
electrons the way that elements of the second period and higher are. The strong dipole that forms makes for
very strong dipole-dipole attractions.
(6) The pKa of ethanol is about 16.
(7) From least to most acidic: a, d, c, b.
[CH3O  ] [H3O  ]
(8) Ka 
[CH3OH]
(9) The pKa of water is 15.7. The pKa of primary alcohols is very similar, about 16. Alkyl substitution on the
hydroxyl carbon raises the pKa, with the pKa of tert-Butanol being around 18.
A

(10) About 35°C.

(11) The boiling points of Ethers are very close to those of hydrocarbons with similar molecular weight.
Consider Diethyl Ether, (MW = 74, BP = 35°C) and Pentane (MW = 72, BP = 35°C).
(12) (a) NO2 is electron – withdrawing and acid –strengthening by both induction and resonance. Its resonance
effect is effective from only the ortho and para positions to about an equal extent. It predominates over the
inductive effect which operates from all positions but at decreasing effectiveness with increasing separation
B

of NO2 and OH. Hence all the nitrophenols are more acidic than phenol with m-nitrophenol being the
weakest of the three. Since the inductive effective from the closer o positions is the strongest, one might
expect o-nitrophenol to be stronger than p-nitrophenol. However, the intramolecular H-bond in
o-nitrophenol must be broken and this requires some energy. The decreasing order is D > B > C > A.
(b) Although Cl is electron – donating by resonance, its electron – withdrawing inductive effect that decreases
with increasing separation of Cl and OH predominates, making all the chlorophenols more acidic than
phenol. The decreasing order is : E > F > G > A.

BALAJI TUTORIALS 31 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732

(13) (i) CH3CH2CH2ONa (sodium propanoate), CH3CH2CH2Br (bromopropane)
CH3CH2CH2Br + NaOCH2CH2CH3  
 CH3CH2CH2.O.CH2CH2CH3 + NaBr
1-propoxypropane
(ii) (CH3)3CONa (Sodium tert-butoxide), CH3Br (bromomethane)

CH 3 CH3
| |
CH3Br + NaO  C  CH3  CH 3O  C  CH3 + NaBr


| |
CH 3 CH3


(iii) C2H5I + NaO 
 C 2H 5O

iodoethane sodium phenoxide ethoxybenzene

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(iv) CH3Br (bromomethane), C2H5ONa (Sodium ethoxide)
CH3Br + NaOC2H5  CH3OC2H5 + NaBr


methoxyethane
LA
A
B

BALAJI TUTORIALS 32 ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND ETHERS

CLASSES BY ANKUR SIR @7983744732