C_nH_2n+1OH

You may also see the general formula of alcohols written as CH_2n+2O.

-OH 

-OH is called a hydroxyl group.

• Primary: -OH group attached to a carbon with one other alkyl group (or no alkyl groups).
• Secondary: -OH group attached to a carbon with two other alkyl groups.
• Tertiary: -OH group attached to a carbon with three other alkyl groups.

Ethanol is less acidic than water.

This is due to the positive inductive effect of the ethyl group which concentrates more negative charge on the oxygen of the C₂H₅O^- ion than the hydrogen atom does in the OH^- ion. This means that the C₂H₅O^- ion accepts a proton more readily than the OH^- ion.

The equilibrium for the dissociation of ethanol, C₂H₅OH ⇌ H⁺ + C₂H₅O^-, lies further to the left than the equilbrium for the dissociation of water, H₂O ⇌ H⁺ + OH^-.

1. Electrophilic addition of alkenes with steam in the presence of a H₃PO₄ catalyst.
2. Oxidation of alkenes with cold dilute aqueous KMnO₄ to form a diol. 
3. Substitution of a halogenoalkane using aqueous alkali e.g. NaOH.
4. Reduction of an aldehyde, ketone or carboxylic acid using a reducing agent e.g. NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄.
5. Hydrolysis of an ester using dilute acid or dilute alkali and heat.

Alcohols are polar molecules because they contain a polar O-H bond. This polarity arises from the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

Hydrogen bonding

Induced dipole-dipole forces and permanent dipole-dipole forces are also present in alcohols, but are weaker than hydrogen bonding.