(i) the polarity of alcohols and an explanation, in terms of hydrogen bonding, of the water solubility and the relatively low volatility of alcohols compared with alkanes (see also 2.2.2l and 4.1.2c)
(ii) classification of alcohols into primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols
combustion of alcohols
oxidation of alcohols by an oxidising agent, e.g. Cr2O72–/H+ (i.e. K2Cr2O7/H2SO4), including:
(i) the oxidation of primary alcohols to form aldehydes and carboxylic acids; the control of the oxidation product using different reaction conditions PAG7 (ii) the oxidation of secondary alcohols to form ketones (iii) the resistance to oxidation of tertiary alcohols
Equations should use O to represent the oxidising agent.
elimination of H2O from alcohols in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g. H3PO4 or H2SO4) and heat to form alkenes
Mechanism not required.
substitution with halide ions in the presence of acid (e.g. NaBr/H2SO4) to form haloalkanes.
Mechanism not required.