Chapter 7: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers (CBSE Class 12)

Introduction

• Alcohols and phenols are formed when a hydrogen atom in an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon is replaced by a -OH group.
• Substituting a hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon by an alkoxy or aryloxy group (R-O / Ar-O) yields another class of compounds known as ethers.
• Alcohol contains one or more hydroxyl (-OH) group(s) directly attached to a carbon atom(s) of an aliphatic system. Monohydric alcohols have the general formula, C_nH_2n+1OH.
• Phenols are compounds in which the hydroxy group is directly linked to an aromatic ring having the formula, C₆H₅OH. A simple phenol (C₆H₅OH) is also known as carbolic acid.
• Ethers are the compounds having a general formula, C_nH_2n+2O, where n is always greater than 1.

Classification

Nomenclature

Structures of Functional Groups

Alcohols and Phenols

Preparation of Alcohols

Preparation of Phenols

Physical Properties of Alcohols

Physical Properties of Phenols

Chemical Properties of Alcohols

Chemical Properties of Phenols

Some Commercially Important Alcohols

Methanol

Ethanol

Ethers

Preparation of Ethers

Physical Properties of Ethers

Chemical Properties/ Reactions of Ethers