chemistry project file
chemistry project file
chemistry project file
Certificate
This is to certify that Reyansh Choudhary, a student
of Class XII, has successfully completed the research
project “Alcohol , Phenol & Ether” under the
guidance of Mr. Mohanlal sir during the academic
year 2024-2025 in partial fulfillment of chemistry
practical examination conducted by AISSCE, New
Delhi.
Acknowledgement
1. Alcohols
Alcohols are organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl
groups (-OH) attached to a saturated carbon atom. They are classified
based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon bearing
the hydroxyl group.
Classification of Alcohols:
Primary Alcohols (1°): The hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon that
is bonded to only one alkyl group. Example: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH).
Secondary Alcohols (2°): The hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon
that is bonded to two alkyl groups. Example: Isopropanol (C₃H₇OH).
Tertiary Alcohols (3°): The hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon that
is bonded to three alkyl groups. Example: Tert-butyl alcohol (C₄H₉OH).
Methods of Preparation:
Hydration of Alkenes: Alcohols can be synthesized by adding water
(hydration) to alkenes in the presence of a catalyst (H₂SO₄).
C2H4+H2O→H2SO4C2H5OHC_2H_4 + H_2O --- {H_2SO_4}
C_2H_5OHC2H4+H2OH2SO4C2H5OH
Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones: Alcohols can be prepared by
reducing aldehydes or ketones using reagents like LiAlH₄ or NaBH₄.
Fermentation of Sugars: Ethanol is industrially produced by the
fermentation of sugars in the presence of yeast.
Properties:
Physical Properties: Alcohols are polar due to the hydroxyl group,
resulting in higher boiling points compared to alkanes and ethers of
similar molecular weight.
Chemical Properties: Alcohols exhibit typical reactions such as:
Oxidation: Primary alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes and then to
acids; secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones.
Dehydration: Alcohols undergo dehydration to form alkenes in the
presence of concentrated H₂SO₄.
Reaction with Sodium: Alcohols react with sodium to form alkoxides
and hydrogen gas.
Phenol
Phenols are compounds where the hydroxyl group (-OH)
is directly attached to an aromatic benzene ring. They
are considered weak acids and have diverse applications
in industries.
Structure and Classification:
•Phenol (C₆H₅OH): The simplest example where a
hydroxyl group is attached to a benzene ring.
•Substituted Phenols: Phenols can have alkyl or halogen
groups attached to the benzene ring, which affect their
reactivity and properties.
Methods of Preparation:
•From Benzene: Phenols are prepared by the
hydroxylation of benzene using a strong oxidizing agent
like oxygen or by the reaction of phenol with NaOH.
•From Haloarenes: Substituted phenols can be prepared
by the reaction of haloarenes with aqueous sodium
hydroxide (e.g., chlorobenzene reacts with NaOH to
form phenol).
Properties:
•Physical Properties: Phenols are generally weak acids
and are more soluble in water than alcohols due to the
ability of the hydroxyl group to form hydrogen bonds.
•Chemical Properties: Phenols undergo various
reactions, including:
• Electrophilic Substitution: The hydroxyl group makes the
benzene ring more reactive towards electrophilic
substitution reactions like nitration, halogenation, and
sulfonation.
• Acidity: Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to the
delocalization of the negative charge in the phenoxide ion
after deprotonation.
• Reaction with Sodium: Phenols react with sodium to
release hydrogen gas and form sodium phenoxide.
Ether
• Ethers are organic compounds where an oxygen
atom is bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups. They
are commonly used as solvents in industrial
processes due to their relatively low reactivity and
volatility.
• Structure and Classification:
• Simple Ethers (R-O-R’): Both alkyl groups (R and
R’) are identical or different. Examples: Dimethyl
ether (CH₃OCH₃), Ethyl methyl ether (C₂H₅OCH₃).
• Cyclic Ethers: The oxygen is part of a ring
structure. Example: Tetrahydrofuran (THF).
• Methods of Preparation:
• Williamson Synthesis: This is the most common
method for preparing ethers, where an alkoxide
ion reacts with a primary alkyl halide.
R−O−+R’−X→R−O−R’+X−R-O⁻ + R’-X \rightarrow R-
O-R’ + X⁻R−O−+R’−X→R−O−R’+X−
• Dehydration of Alcohols: Ethers can be
synthesized by the dehydration of alcohols in the
presence of an acid catalyst (e.g., H₂SO₄).
2R−OH→H2SO4R−O−R+H2O2R-OH
\xrightarrow{H_2SO_4} R-O-R +
H_2O2R−OHH2SO4R−O−R+H2O
• Properties:
• Physical Properties: Ethers are relatively less
polar than alcohols and phenols, leading to lower
boiling points. They are also soluble in water and
have low toxicity.
• Chemical Properties: Ethers are relatively inert,
but they can undergo reactions such as:
• Cleavage with Acid: Ethers can be cleaved into alcohols
or alkyl halides under acidic conditions (e.g., in the
presence of HI).
• Combustion: Ethers are flammable and combust to
produce CO₂ and H₂O.
Applications and Importance