Module 12: Unit 7 Summary

Chemical reactions of alcohols

Ionization
  • Occurs in aqueous solution
Acid
carboxylate ioc
+
H3O+
Neutralization
  • Reaction with a base(NaOH)
Acid
carboxylate salt
+
H2O
Esterification
  • Reaction with an alcohol
  • Acid catalyst required
Acid
ester
+
H2O
Decarboxylation
  • A carbon dioxide molecule is produced
Acid
CO2
+
smaller organicmolecule

Hydrolysis reaction of esters

Acidic hydrolysis
  • Strong acid catalyst
Ester
acid
+
alcohol
Basic Hydrolysis (Saponification)
  • Strong base (NaOH or KOH)
Ester
carboxylate salt
+
alcohol

Preparation of carboxylic acids

Oxidation
  • CrO3 or K2Cr2O7 as oxidizing agent
1° alcohol
aldehyde
acid
Aldehyde
acid