GCSE Chemistry · Edexcel 1CH0 · Topic 9C
Alcohols and carboxylic acids
Key points
- Alcohols contain the –OH group: methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol. General formula .
- Ethanol is made by fermentation: glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide, using yeast at about 30–35 °C without air. The ethanol is concentrated by fractional distillation.
- Alcohols can be oxidised to carboxylic acids, e.g. ethanol to ethanoic acid.
- Carboxylic acids contain –COOH: methanoic, ethanoic, propanoic, butanoic acid. They are weak acids: they react with carbonates to give a salt, water and CO₂.
- Core practical: compare the heat released by burning different alcohols by heating a known mass of water. For a fair comparison, work out the temperature rise per gram of alcohol burned (temperature rise ÷ mass burned).
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Alcohols and carboxylic acids are two more homologous series. Each has a functional group that gives all its members similar reactions: –OH for alcohols and –COOH for carboxylic acids. Ethanol and ethanoic acid (vinegar) are the best-known…
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