THE 10 MOST IMPORTANT EXAMPLES OF ALCOHOLS - CHEMISTRY - 2024

The examples of alcohols include ethanol, glycerol and isopropyl alcohol. Alcohols are organic chemicals with a molecule or more of hydroxyl in their carbon chains in saturated form.

Alcohols are used in various fields: from consumption in beverages to industrial solvents. Their application is very varied due to the ease of synthesizing them.

Ethanol

The types of alcohols depend mainly on the structure to which the hydroxide molecule is attached, so they can be very different and at the same time share some characteristics.

Top 10 Examples of Alcohols

1- Methanol

Methanol is a type of alcohol that is formed from methane (CH4), having a hydroxyl group instead of hydrogen and with the formula CH3OH.

It is the simplest type of alcohol that exists due to the low complexity of its structure: it only has one carbon atom.

It is mainly used as a solvent and antifreeze.

2- Ethanol

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is formed from a chain of ethanol (C2H6) and has the formula C2H5OH.

Its boiling point is slightly higher than that of methanol due to its longer chain and it is used primarily as a beverage, disinfectant, and solvent.

3- Propanol

Propanol is formed from a propane chain. Its general formula is C3H8O. Like other simpler alcohols, it serves as an antifreeze and antiseptic. It is also used in the manufacture of products in the chemical industry.

In propanol, the hydroxyl molecule can be at different points in the chain, so its name can change depending on this position.

4- Butanol

Like the alcohols named above it comes from a carbon chain, with a general formula of C4H10O.

Like propanol, the molecule can be positioned at different points in the chain, thus changing its structure and name. In addition, branches can form in this compound that change the structure.

Its main use is for the synthesis of other compounds, such as butyl acrylate.

5- Pentanol

Pentanol is an alcohol derived from a five-atom hydrocarbon chain. They can have branches and there are versions according to the position of the OH.

Unlike previous alcohols, pentanol is more soluble in organic solutions than in aqueous ones.

6- phenol

It is an alcohol formed by an aromatic ring with an OH. Due to its structure, it has several uses in industry, mainly in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields.

7- Glycerol

It is an alcohol that has three hydroxyl groups on a three-carbon chain. It can be found in nature as part of some lipids and is widely used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

8- Phenethyl alcohol

It is an alcohol that occurs as an aromatized ring with a two-carbon chain.

It is found naturally in some plants and has an odor similar to that of some flowers, which is why it is used to make some perfumes.

9- Propylene glycol

It is an alcohol with an oily appearance with the formula C3H8O2. Its main applications are as a humectant or antifreeze, but due to its chemical nature it can be used for much more.

10- Isopropyl alcohol

It is a secondary alcohol linked in the center to a propylene chain. It is usually used as an antiseptic and as a cleaning liquid for lenses.

References

1. Chang, R. (1997). chemistry Mexico: McGraw-Hill.
2. Sousa LAT de, Amanda T. L, Andreza de SR, Raul de S, Alves EF, EF, Cruz FAJ, Ana J. F, Leandro GLM, Livia M. G, & Guedes de AMTT, Tássia T. de AM (2016). Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of methanol and hexane extracts, the rolling stem melissa officinalis L. Health Sciences, 14 (2), 201-210. doi: 10.12804 / revsalud14.02.2016.05
3. Garza Chávez, JG, Villarreal González, A., & González, AV (2008). Ethanol: An energy alternative for Mexico?
4. Kasper, T., Oßwald, P., Struckmeier, U., Kohse-Höinghaus, K., Taatjes, CA, Wang, J.,… Westmoreland, PR (2009). Combustion chemistry of the propanol isomers - investigated by electron ionization and VUV-photoionization molecular-beam mass spectrometry. Combustion and Flame, 156 (6), 1181-1201. doi: 10.1016 / j.combustflame.2009.01.023
5. Gul, ZS, Ersahin, F., Agar, E., & Isik, S. (2007). phenol. Acta Crystallographica Section E, 63 (11), o4241. doi: 10.1107 / S1600536807047824