What are all the alcohols with that molecular formula?

In summary, the conversation discusses the molecular formula for alcohol, the number of alcohols that can be formed with a specific molecular formula, and the primary, secondary, and tertiary classifications of alcohols. It also mentions how alcohols are named and classified, as well as some common uses for them in various industries and everyday life.
  • #1
BH20
78
0
What are all the alcohols with that molecular formula?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #2
BH20 said:
What are all the alcohols with that molecular formula?
C5H11OH can have many names:

Pentan-1-ol
Pentan-2-ol
Pentan-3-ol
2-methylbutan-1-ol
2-methylbutan-2-ol
2-dimethylpropan-1-ol

I could go on and on. All of these are alchols but each is an isomer.

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
  • #3


The molecular formula for alcohols is CnH2n+1OH, where n is the number of carbon atoms. Therefore, all the alcohols with that molecular formula would include:

1. Methanol (CH3OH)
2. Ethanol (C2H5OH)
3. Propanol (C3H7OH)
4. Butanol (C4H9OH)
5. Pentanol (C5H11OH)
6. Hexanol (C6H13OH)
7. Heptanol (C7H15OH)
8. Octanol (C8H17OH)
9. Nonanol (C9H19OH)
10. Decanol (C10H21OH)
11. Undecanol (C11H23OH)
12. Dodecanol (C12H25OH)
13. Tridecanol (C13H27OH)
14. Tetradecanol (C14H29OH)
15. Pentadecanol (C15H31OH)
16. Hexadecanol (C16H33OH)
17. Heptadecanol (C17H35OH)
18. Octadecanol (C18H37OH)
19. Nonadecanol (C19H39OH)
20. Eicosanol (C20H41OH)
21. Heneicosanol (C21H43OH)
22. Docosanol (C22H45OH)
23. Tricosanol (C23H47OH)
24. Tetracosanol (C24H49OH)
25. Pentacosanol (C25H51OH)
26. Hexacosanol (C26H53OH)
27. Heptacosanol (C27H55OH)
28. Octacosanol (C28H57OH)
29. Nonacosanol (C29H59OH)
30. Triacontanol (C30H61OH)

Note that there could be more alcohols with this molecular formula, as it follows a general pattern and can have any number of carbon atoms. The above list includes alcohols with up to 30 carbon atoms.
 

1. What is the molecular formula for alcohol?

The general molecular formula for alcohol is CnH2n+1OH, where n represents the number of carbon atoms.

2. How many different alcohols can be formed with a specific molecular formula?

The number of alcohols that can be formed with a specific molecular formula depends on the number of carbon atoms in the formula. For example, if the formula is C4H10O, there are three possible alcohols that can be formed: butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol, and 2-methylpropan-1-ol.

3. What are primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols?

Primary alcohols have the -OH group attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to only one other carbon atom. Secondary alcohols have the -OH group attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to two other carbon atoms. Tertiary alcohols have the -OH group attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to three other carbon atoms.

4. How are alcohols named and classified?

Alcohols are named by replacing the -e at the end of the corresponding alkane name with -ol. They are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms the -OH group is attached to. Additionally, they can be classified as either saturated or unsaturated, depending on whether they contain single or multiple bonds between carbon atoms.

5. What are some common uses of alcohols?

Alcohols have a variety of uses in industry and everyday life. Some common uses include as a solvent in cleaning products and cosmetics, as a fuel for vehicles, as a preservative in food and beverages, and as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages. They are also used in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fragrances.

Similar threads

  • Chemistry
Replies
2
Views
951
Replies
22
Views
2K
Replies
131
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Chemistry
Replies
14
Views
857
Replies
21
Views
3K
Replies
24
Views
3K
Back
Top