Alcohols
Overview
Ethanol, the alcohol in fuels and solvents, is one of the most useful organic compounds of all. It belongs to a family marked by a single reactive group, the -OH group, and it can be made in two very different ways: by fermentation of sugar or by adding steam to ethene.
In this lesson you will learn that alcohols are a homologous series with the -OH functional group, how ethanol is produced by fermentation and by the hydration of ethene, and the key reactions of ethanol: combustion and oxidation to a carboxylic acid.
Objectives
- Describe the manufacture of ethanol by: (a) fermentation of aqueous glucose at 25- 35 °C in the presence of yeast and in the absence of oxygen (b) catalytic addition of steam to ethene at 300 °C and 6000 kPa / 60 atm in the presence of an acid catalyst.
- Describe the combustion of ethanol.
- State the uses of ethanol as: (a) a solvent (b) a fuel.
- [Supplement] Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the manufacture of ethanol by: (a) fermentation (b) catalytic addition of steam to ethene.
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Alcohols. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- The functional group of the alcohols is: A. C=C B. -OH C. -COOH D. -Cl Answer: B
- In fermentation, glucose is converted by yeast into ethanol and: A. Water B. Oxygen C. Carbon dioxide D. Hydrogen Answer: C
- Ethanol can be made from ethene by: A. Combustion B. Hydration C. Substitution D. Fermentation Answer: B
- Complete combustion of ethanol produces carbon dioxide and: A. Carbon monoxide B. Hydrogen C. Water D. Soot Answer: C
- When ethanol is oxidised, it forms: A. Ethene B. Ethane C. Ethanoic acid D. Glucose Answer: C
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