Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Alcohols are classified based on

Alcohols are classified based on the carbon to which the -OH group is attached. If the carbon has one alkyl group, it's primary (1°); two alkyl groups

Alcohols can be prepared by several

Alcohols can be prepared by several methods: hydration of alkenes (acid-catalyzed or hydroboration-oxidation), reduction of carbonyl compounds using N

Phenols are more acidic than alcohols

Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion. The negative charge on oxygen is delocalized into the benze

This is the best method

This is the best method to prepare both symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers. It involves the reaction of an alkoxide ion with a primary alkyl halide

Ethers are generally unreactive

Ethers are generally unreactive, which makes them excellent solvents. However, they can undergo cleavage with strong acids like HI or HBr, especially