Describe the complete combustion of alcohols.

Alcohols burn completely in a plentiful supply of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This reaction is exothermic, releasing a large quantity of energy in the form of heat.


For example, the equation for the combustion of ethanol is C2H5OH + 3O2 ➔ 2CO2 + 3H2O.

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Describe the oxidation of alcohols by potassium dichromate(VI).

When heated in a solution of acidified potassium dichromate(VI), alcohols undergo oxidation to varying degrees depending on their structure. Primary alcohols are oxidised to aldehydes and carboxylic acids, while secondary alcohols are oxidised to ketones. Tertiary alcohols, however, do not undergo oxidation with potassium dichromate(VI).


For example, ethanol is oxidised to ethanal: C2H5OH + [O] ➔ C2H4O + H2O.

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Describe and explain the colour change that occurs during the oxidation of alcohols by acidified potassium dichromate?

The solution changes from orange to green.


This is because orange Cr2O72- ions are reduced to green Cr3+ ions.


The half-equation for this reaction is: Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e- ➔ 2Cr3+ + 7H2O.

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How do the conditions of the oxidation of primary alcohols influence the product formed?

If the alcohol is heated gently using a stoichiometric amount of oxidising agent, the aldehyde can be removed from reaction mixture using distillation.

If the alcohol is heated under reflux using an excess of oxidising agent, the carboxylic acid is formed. 

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What are the oxidation products of primary and secondary alcohols?

Primary alcohols can be oxidised to aldehydes or carboxylic acids.

Secondary alcohols are oxidised to ketones.


Tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation.

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Describe, and give the general word equation for, the dehydration of alcohols.

Alcohols are heated under refux in the presence of a catalyst to produce an alkene. The catalyst is can be concentrated sulfuric acid, concentrated phosphoric acid, or heated aluminium oxide powder.


Alcohol ➔ alkene + water


For example, ethanol undergoes an elimination reaction when dehydrated to form ethene: C2H5OH ➔ C2H4 + H2O.

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List 5 chlorinating reagents used to convert alcohols to chloroalkanes.

  1. Hydrogen chloride (HCl)
  2. Sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) with concentrated H2SO4 or H3PO4
  3. Phosphorus trichloride (PCl3)
  4. Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5)
  5. Thionyl chloride (SOCl2)

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Name and describe the position of the functional group in aldehydes.

The functional group of aldehydes is the carbonyl (C=O) group which is located at the end of the hydrocarbon chain.

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Name and describe the position of the functional group in ketones.

The functional group of ketones is the carbonyl (C=O) group which is located within the body of the hydrocarbon chain.

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Describe, and give the geneneral word equation for, the reaction of alcohols with sodium.

Alcohols can react with sodium metal to form sodium alkoxides and hydrogen gas.


Alcohol + sodium ➔ sodium alkoxide + hydrogen


For example, ethanol reacts with sodium to form sodium ethoxide (C2H5ONa) and hydrogen:

2C2H5OH(aq) + 2Na(s) ➔ 2C2H5ONa(aq) + H2(g)

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Describe, and give a general word equation for, the esterification of alcohols.

Esterification is a condensation reaction between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid to form an ester and water. This reaction is catalysed by a strong acid such as sulfuric acid.


Alcohol + carboxylic acid ⇌ ester + water


For example, ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid to form ethyl ethanoate (CH3COOC2H5) and water:

C2H5OH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ CH3COOC2H5(aq) + H2O(l)

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