This subtopic builds upon the concept of oxidation introduced in Stage 1 subtopic 6.1, and the production and use of ethanol as a fuel is considered in subtopic 4.1.

Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary.

• Identify, name systematically, and draw structural formulae of alcohols containing:
  • up to eight carbon atoms in the main chain, with side chains limited to a maximum of two carbon atoms
  • one or more hydroxyl groups.

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Reference sheet: Functional groups

Practice programs: Naming | Drawing (choose Alcohol)

Tool: Draw from name

Primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols behave differently with oxidising agents.

• Describe how primary and secondary alcohols can be distinguished from tertiary alcohols by their reaction with acidified dichromate solution.
• Predict the structural formula(e) of the product(s) of oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol, given its structural formula.

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Videos: Distinguishing | Formula(e) | Flippin' Science

Practice: Organic Products (choose Oxidation of alcohol)