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Ch.10 - Structure and Synthesis of Alcohols
Wade - Organic Chemistry 9th Edition
Wade9th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213728Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksWade 9th EditionCh.10 - Structure and Synthesis of AlcoholsProblem 38
Chapter 10, Problem 38

Write structures for a homologous series of alcohols (R―OH) having from one to six carbons.

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1
Understand the concept of a homologous series: A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have a similar general formula, differ by a CH₂ unit, and exhibit a gradual change in physical properties.
Identify the general formula for alcohols: Alcohols have the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH, where n is the number of carbon atoms.
Start with the simplest alcohol: Methanol (CH₃OH) is the first member of the series with one carbon atom.
Add a CH₂ unit to form the next member: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is the second member with two carbon atoms. Continue this pattern by adding CH₂ units.
Continue the series up to six carbons: Propanol (C₃H₇OH), Butanol (C₄H₉OH), Pentanol (C₅H₁₁OH), and Hexanol (C₆H₁₃OH) complete the series, each differing by a CH₂ unit from the previous member.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Homologous Series

A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have a similar general formula, differ by a CH2 unit, and exhibit a gradual change in physical properties. In the context of alcohols, each member of the series has one more carbon and two more hydrogen atoms than the previous member, maintaining the functional group -OH.
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Alcohol Functional Group

The alcohol functional group is characterized by the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom. This group is responsible for the characteristic properties of alcohols, such as their ability to form hydrogen bonds, which affects their boiling points and solubility in water.
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Structural Formula

A structural formula represents the arrangement of atoms within a molecule, showing how they are connected. For alcohols, it is important to depict the carbon chain and the position of the hydroxyl group. For example, methanol (CH3OH) is the simplest alcohol, followed by ethanol (C2H5OH), and so on, up to hexanol (C6H13OH) in the given series.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Starting from bromobenzene and any other reagents and solvents you need, show how you would synthesize the following compounds. Any of these products may be used as starting materials in subsequent parts of this problem.

c. 1-phenylpropan-2-ol

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Textbook Question

Show how you would synthesize the following alcohol from appropriate alkene.

(d)

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Textbook Question

Show how you would synthesize the following alcohol from appropriate alkene.

(b)

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Textbook Question

Starting from bromobenzene and any other reagents and solvents you need, show how you would synthesize the following compounds. Any of these products may be used as starting materials in subsequent parts of this problem.

b. 1-phenylpropene

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Textbook Question

Show how you would synthesize the following alcohol from appropriate alkene.

(a)

1
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Textbook Question

Starting from bromobenzene and any other reagents and solvents you need, show how you would synthesize the following compounds. Any of these products may be used as starting materials in subsequent parts of this problem.

d. 3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ol

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