Organic Chemistry II: Alkanols and Alkanoic Acids

Syllabus tag: KCSE | Chemistry | Form 4 | Topic 23 Organic Chemistry II

Lesson objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Describe the alkanols, their preparation, properties and uses.
• Describe the alkanoic acids and their reactions.
• Describe esterification, soaps, detergents and soapless detergents.
• Describe condensation polymers and compare them with addition polymers.

Summary

Alkanols have the functional group —OH and general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH. Alkanoic acids have —COOH and formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH. Alkanols are made by fermentation or hydration of alkenes, and are oxidised to alkanoic acids. Acid plus alkanol gives an ester — the reaction called esterification.