[Western Oregon University]

Lecture Notes on Properties & Nomenclature of Alcohols & Alkyl Halides

 

 

Halo groups are incorporated into names analogously to alkyl groups
-OH groups take precedence over halo and alkyl groups.

Number the chain to give the -OH the lowest possible number.
 
 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES



The hydroxyl group is capable of donating and accepting a hydrogen bond. This causes alcohols to have properties that are very different to alkanes.

 

H-bonding increases the coiling point and water solubility of alcohols over alkanes and alkyl halides.

Alcohols containing 4 carbons or less are water soluble.

Water solubility decreases with increasing length of the carbon chain.

 


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