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4
ziyah
19/10/2025
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry: Alcohols
1,617
โข
19 Oct 2025
โข
ziyah
@ziy4h
Hey there! Ever wondered how alcohols change with stuff like KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7? Weโll explore fun experiments, talk about primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, and their awesome physical and chemical properties! Come join the science fun! ๐
The oxidation of alcohols is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry, with important applications in industry and biochemistry. This page explores the oxidation reactions of different classes of alcohols and their products.
Definition: Oxidation of alcohols involves the loss of hydrogen atoms or the gain of oxygen atoms, resulting in the formation of aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids.
Combustion of Alcohols: Alcohols can undergo complete combustion, serving as fuels to release stored chemical energy:
Example: CโHโ OH + 3Oโ โ 2COโ + 3HโO
This reaction demonstrates the use of alcohols as alternative fuel sources.
Oxidation Reactions: The oxidation of alcohols depends on their classification:
Primary Alcohols:
Secondary Alcohols:
Tertiary Alcohols:
Highlight: The oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols is easily observed by a color change from orange to green when using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) as the oxidizing agent.
Oxidation Mechanism: The oxidation of alcohols mechanism typically involves the use of strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate (KMnOโ) or potassium dichromate (KโCrโOโ). The reaction proceeds through the following steps:
Vocabulary: Reflux is a technique used in chemistry to heat a reaction mixture for an extended period while continuously cooling and returning vaporized reactants to the reaction vessel.
Understanding the oxidation of alcohols experiment and mechanism is crucial for organic synthesis and the production of important industrial chemicals. The ability to predict and control these reactions is a key skill in organic chemistry.
Alcohols are an important class of organic compounds with diverse applications. This page introduces the fundamental concepts of alcohol classification and their key physical properties.
Definition: Alcohols are organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom.
The classification of alcohols is based on the type of carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is attached:
Highlight: Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms directly bonded to the carbon bearing the -OH group.
Primary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to one other carbon atom.
Example: Propan-1-ol (CHโCHโCHโOH)
Secondary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms.
Example: Propan-2-ol (CHโCH(OH)CHโ)
Tertiary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms.
Example: 2-methyl propan-2-ol ((CHโ)โCOH)
The physical properties of alcohols are significantly influenced by their ability to form hydrogen bonds:
Vocabulary: Hydrogen bonding is a strong intermolecular force between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen) and another electronegative atom.
Volatility: Alcohols are less volatile than corresponding alkanes due to hydrogen bonding.
Solubility: The polar -OH group allows smaller alcohols to be soluble in water. Solubility decreases as the alkyl chain length increases.
Boiling points: Alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular mass due to hydrogen bonding.
Highlight: The boiling points of alcohols increase as the chain length increases due to stronger induced dipole-dipole intermolecular forces.
Understanding these properties is crucial for predicting the behavior of alcohols in various chemical reactions and applications.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
ziyah
@ziy4h
Hey there! Ever wondered how alcohols change with stuff like KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7? Weโll explore fun experiments, talk about primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, and their awesome physical and chemical properties! Come join the science fun! ๐
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The oxidation of alcohols is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry, with important applications in industry and biochemistry. This page explores the oxidation reactions of different classes of alcohols and their products.
Definition: Oxidation of alcohols involves the loss of hydrogen atoms or the gain of oxygen atoms, resulting in the formation of aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids.
Combustion of Alcohols: Alcohols can undergo complete combustion, serving as fuels to release stored chemical energy:
Example: CโHโ OH + 3Oโ โ 2COโ + 3HโO
This reaction demonstrates the use of alcohols as alternative fuel sources.
Oxidation Reactions: The oxidation of alcohols depends on their classification:
Primary Alcohols:
Secondary Alcohols:
Tertiary Alcohols:
Highlight: The oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols is easily observed by a color change from orange to green when using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) as the oxidizing agent.
Oxidation Mechanism: The oxidation of alcohols mechanism typically involves the use of strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate (KMnOโ) or potassium dichromate (KโCrโOโ). The reaction proceeds through the following steps:
Vocabulary: Reflux is a technique used in chemistry to heat a reaction mixture for an extended period while continuously cooling and returning vaporized reactants to the reaction vessel.
Understanding the oxidation of alcohols experiment and mechanism is crucial for organic synthesis and the production of important industrial chemicals. The ability to predict and control these reactions is a key skill in organic chemistry.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Alcohols are an important class of organic compounds with diverse applications. This page introduces the fundamental concepts of alcohol classification and their key physical properties.
Definition: Alcohols are organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom.
The classification of alcohols is based on the type of carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is attached:
Highlight: Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms directly bonded to the carbon bearing the -OH group.
Primary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to one other carbon atom.
Example: Propan-1-ol (CHโCHโCHโOH)
Secondary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms.
Example: Propan-2-ol (CHโCH(OH)CHโ)
Tertiary alcohols: The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms.
Example: 2-methyl propan-2-ol ((CHโ)โCOH)
The physical properties of alcohols are significantly influenced by their ability to form hydrogen bonds:
Vocabulary: Hydrogen bonding is a strong intermolecular force between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen) and another electronegative atom.
Volatility: Alcohols are less volatile than corresponding alkanes due to hydrogen bonding.
Solubility: The polar -OH group allows smaller alcohols to be soluble in water. Solubility decreases as the alkyl chain length increases.
Boiling points: Alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular mass due to hydrogen bonding.
Highlight: The boiling points of alcohols increase as the chain length increases due to stronger induced dipole-dipole intermolecular forces.
Understanding these properties is crucial for predicting the behavior of alcohols in various chemical reactions and applications.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help โ all at your fingertips.
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Explore key concepts in organic chemistry, including esters, carboxylic acids, oxidation-reduction reactions, and the chemistry of fats and proteins. This comprehensive summary covers essential topics such as saponification, emulsifiers, and the role of functional groups in molecular structure. Ideal for students preparing for higher chemistry exams.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
