5.5.1

Production of Alcohols

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Types of Alcohols

Alcohols can be either primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Primary alcohols

Primary alcohols

  • A primary alcohol is one which has one carbon bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group.
    • E.g. ethanol.
Secondary alcohols

Secondary alcohols

  • A secondary alcohol is one which has two carbons bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group.
    • E.g. propan-2-ol.
Tertiary alcohols

Tertiary alcohols

  • A tertiary alcohol is one which has three carbons bonded to the carbon bonded to the functional group.
    • E.g. 2-methyl-propan-2-ol.

Alcohol Production

There are a variety of methods for synthesising alcohols. Different methods are used for industrial purposes and for drinking purposes.

Industrial alcohol production

Industrial alcohol production

  • Alcohols are produced industrially by hydration (adding water) of alkenes in the presence of an acid catalyst.
  • The most common catalyst is phosphoric (V) acid. It’s done at 300oC and 60 atm pressure.
  • The mechanism is via an electrophilic addition.
Hydration of ethene

Hydration of ethene

  • The mechanism above shows how:
    • The acid catalyst acts first to add to the alkene.
    • The lone pair on the oxygen then attacks the carbocation intermediate.
    • Finally, a proton is lost to give an alcohol and to reform the acid catalyst.
Diagram
Fermentation

Fermentation

  • For some purposes, ethanol is produced by fermentation. This makes alcohol that is drinkable, but it can also be used for making biofuels.
  • Fermentation uses yeast to turn glucose into ethanol.
  • The reaction for it is:
    • C6H12O6→40oCYeast2C2H6O+2CO2C_6H_{12}O_6 \xrightarrow[{40^oC}]{\text{Yeast}}2C_2H_6O + 2CO_2
  • Ethanol is separated by distillation.
  • The process is cheap, but distillation adds extra cost.

Biofuels

Biofuels are fuels composed of grown organic matter.

Biofuel

Biofuel

  • Ethanol is produced by fermentation and then separated by fractional distillation.
    • This can then be used as a biofuel.
  • Biofuels are greener than petrol.
    • This is because they are renewable - we can grow more plants so they won't run out.
      • They are more sustainable.
    • They are carbon neutral (kind of). They release CO2 when they burn, but they absorb it when they grow.
      • These cancel each other out.
Problems

Problems

  • Switching to biofuels is problematic:
    • Car engines aren’t built to run on ethanol.
    • Land that's growing biofuel isn't producing food.
      • This could lead to food shortages.
Carbon neutrality

Carbon neutrality

  • Earlier, we said that biofuels are kind of carbon neutral.
    • It’s true that what they release in CO2, they absorb when they grow.
  • But this is not the full story:
    • You need fossil fuels to make crop fertilisers, to harvest crops, and to transport the biofuel.
    • All these processes make CO2, so it's not completely carbon neutral.
Jump to other topics
1

Physical Chemistry

1.1

Atomic Structure

1.1.1Fundamental Particles1.1.2Isotopes & Mass Number1.1.3Mass Spectrometry1.1.4Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals1.1.5Electron Configuration1.1.6Ionisation Energy1.1.7Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies1.1.8Trends of Ionisation1.1.9Specific Impacts on Ionisation Energies1.1.10End of Topic Test - Atomic Structure1.1.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Atomic Structure
1.2

Amount of Substance

1.2.1Relative Masses1.2.2The Mole1.2.3The Ideal Gas Equation1.2.4Empirical & Molecular Formulae1.2.5Balanced Equations1.2.6Percentage Yield1.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Percentage Yield1.2.8Atom Economy1.2.9End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance1.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Substances & Yield1.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Moles
1.3

Bonding

1.3.1Ionic Bonding1.3.2Covalent & Dative Bonding1.3.3Carbon Structures1.3.4Metallic Bonding1.3.5Physical Properties1.3.6Shapes of Molecules1.3.7Polarity1.3.8Intermolecular Forces1.3.9Intermolecular Forces 21.3.10End of Topic Test - Bonding1.3.11Exam-Style Question - Shape of Molecules1.3.12A-A* (AO3/4) - Bonding1.3.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ions1.3.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ionic & Covalent1.3.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Phase Change1.3.16Diagnostic Misconceptions - Boiling1.3.17Diagnostic Misconceptions - Polar Bonds
1.4

Energetics

1.4.1Enthalpy Changes1.4.2Bond Breaking and Making1.4.3Enthalpy Changes: Standard Conditions1.4.4Calorimetry1.4.5Hess' Law1.4.6Bond Enthalpies1.4.7End of Topic Test - Energetics1.4.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Calorimetry
1.5

Kinetics

1.5.1Collision Theory1.5.2Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution1.5.3Increasing Rates1.5.4End of Topic Test - Kinetics
1.6

Equilibria

1.6.1Le Chatelier1.6.2Equilibrium Constants1.6.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria1.6.4End of Topic Test - Equilibria1.6.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Solids
1.7

Redox

1.7.1Redox1.7.2End of Topic Test - Redox
2

Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

2.1

Thermodynamics (A2 Only)

2.1.1Born-Haber Cycles (A2 Only)2.1.2Born-Haber Cycle Calculations (A2 Only)2.1.3Entropy (A2 Only)2.1.4Free Energy (A2 Only)2.1.5End of Topic Test - Thermodynamics2.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Thermodynamics
2.2

Rate Equations (A2 Only)

2.2.1Rate Equations (A2 Only)2.2.2Rate Equations 2 (A2 Only)2.2.3The Arrhenius Equation (A2 Only)2.2.4Experimental Methods for Rates (A2 Only)2.2.5End of Topic Test - Rate Equations2.2.6Exam-Style Question - Rates2.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Rate Equations
2.3

The Equilibrium Constant Kp (A2 Only)

2.3.1Properties of Kp (A2 Only)
2.4

Electrochemical Cells (A2 Only)

2.4.1Electrochemical Cells (A2 Only)2.4.2Electrochemical Series (A2 Only)2.4.3Commercial Application (A2 Only)2.4.4End of Topic Test - Kp & Electrochemistry2.4.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Electrochemical Cells2.4.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Salt Bridges2.4.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Electrode, Electrolyte
2.5

Acids & Bases (A2 Only)

2.5.1Brønsted-Lowry Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.2pH (A2 Only)2.5.3The Ionic Product of Water (A2 Only)2.5.4Weak Acids & Bases (A2 Only)2.5.5pH Curves & Titrations (A2 Only)2.5.6pH Curves & Titrations 2 (A2 Only)2.5.7Buffer Solutions (A2 Only)2.5.8End of Topic Test - Acids & Bases2.5.9Exam-Style Question - Weak Acids2.5.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Acids & Bases2.5.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ammonia is an Alkali2.5.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Water's Neutrality2.5.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Concentrate & Strength
3

Inorganic Chemistry

3.1

Periodicity & Trends

3.1.1The Periodic Table3.1.2Trends in the Periodic Table3.1.3End of Topic Test - Periodicity & Trends3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Atomic Radius
3.2

Group 2

3.2.1Group 2 Chemistry3.2.2End of Topic Test - Group 2
3.3

Group 7

3.3.1Introduction to Halogens3.3.2Reactions of Halogens3.3.3Chlorine & Chlorate(I)3.3.4End of Topic Test - Group 73.3.5Exam-Style Question - Group 73.3.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Periodicity, Group 2 & 7
4

Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

4.1

Period 3 (A2 Only)

4.1.1Period 3 Elements & Oxides (A2 Only)4.1.2Period 3 Oxides (A2 Only)4.1.3End of Topic Test - Period 3
4.2

Transition Metals (A2 Only)

4.2.1General Properties (A2 Only)4.2.2Substitution Reactions (A2 Only)4.2.3Shapes of Complex Ions (A2 Only)4.2.4Colours of Ions (A2 Only)4.2.5Variable Oxidation States (A2 Only)4.2.6Titrations (A2 Only)4.2.7Homogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.8Heterogeneous Catalysts (A2 Only)4.2.9End of Topic Test - Transition Metals4.2.10A-A* (AO3/4) - Transition Metals
4.3

Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solutions (A2 Only)

4.3.1Acidity (A2 Only)4.3.2Identification (A2 Only)4.3.3End of Topic Test - Reactions of Ions in Solution
5

Organic Chemistry 1

5.1

Introduction

5.1.1Naming Conventions5.1.2Mechanism5.1.3Isomerism5.1.4End of Topic Test - Introduction to Organic Chem
5.2

Alkanes

5.2.1Fractional Distillation5.2.2Cracking5.2.3Combustion5.2.4Chlorination5.2.5End of Topic Test - Alkanes
5.3

Halogenoalkanes

5.3.1Substitution Reactions5.3.2Elimination Reactions5.3.3Ozone Depletion5.3.4End of Topic Test - Halogenoalkanes
5.4

Alkenes

5.4.1Introduction to Alkenes5.4.2Reactions of Alkenes5.4.3Polymerisation Reactions5.4.4Properties of Polymers5.4.5End of Topic Test - Alkenes
5.5

Alcohols

5.5.1Production of Alcohols5.5.2Oxidation of Alcohols5.5.3Oxidation of Alcohols - 25.5.4Elimination Reactions5.5.5End of Topic Test - Alcohols5.5.6Exam-Style Question - Alcohols
5.6

Organic Analysis

5.6.1Reactions5.6.2Reactions 25.6.3Mass Spectrometry5.6.4Infrared Spectroscopy5.6.5End of Topic Test - Organic Analysis
5.7

A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 1

5.7.1A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 1
6

Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

6.1

Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)

6.1.1Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)6.1.2End of Topic Test - Optical Isomerism
6.2

Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)

6.2.1Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)6.2.2End of Topic Test - Aldehydes & Ketones
6.3

Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)

6.3.1Acids & Esters (A2 Only)6.3.2Acylation (A2 Only)6.3.3End of Topic Test - Carboxylic Acids & Esters
6.4

Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)

6.4.1Structure & Reactivity (A2 Only)6.4.2Reactions of Benzene (A2 Only)6.4.3End of Topic Test - Aromatic Chemistry
6.5

Amines (A2 Only)

6.5.1Nature & Preparation of Amines (A2 Only)6.5.2Basicity & Nucleophilicity (A2 Only)6.5.3End of Topic Test - Amines
6.6

Polymers (A2 Only)

6.6.1Condensation Polymers (A2 Only)6.6.2Biodegradability (A2 Only)
6.7

Biological Organic (A2 Only)

6.7.1Amino Acids (A2 Only)6.7.2Proteins (A2 Only)6.7.3DNA (A2 Only)6.7.4Anti-Cancer Drugs (A2 Only)6.7.5End of Topic Test - Biological Organic
6.8

Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)

6.8.1Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)6.8.2Examples of Synthetic Routes (A2 Only)6.8.3End of Topic Test - Polymers & Organic Synthesis
6.9

NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)

6.9.1Understanding NMR (A2 Only)6.9.2Carbon-13 NMR (A2 Only)6.9.3Hydrogen-1 NMR (A2 Only)6.9.4Hydrogen-1 NMR 2 (A2 Only)6.9.5End of Topic Test - NMR
6.10

Chromatography (A2 Only)

6.10.1Overview of Chromatography (A2 Only)6.10.2Thin-Layer Chromatography (A2 Only)6.10.3Column Chromatography (A2 Only)6.10.4Gas Chromatography (A2 Only)6.10.5End of Topic Test - Chromatography
6.11

A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2

6.11.1A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2

Practice questions on Production of Alcohols

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  1. 1
    Which of the following is a tertiary alcohol?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of the following are secondary alcohols?True / false
  3. 3
    Industrial alcohol production is carried out at:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    The acid catalyst acts in what step of the electrophilic addition mechanism?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What is the catalyst used in the hydration of an alkene to give an alcohol?Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Alkenes

Oxidation of Alcohols