From Alkenes
Alcohols are easily produced using the Alkenes. The process used in the production of alcohols from alkenes is given in detail below,
Hydration of Alkenes
Alkenes undergo additional reactions with water in the presence of a catalyst to produce alcohol. The addition reaction takes place according to Markovnikov’s rule. The basic reaction is as follows:
Hydroboration-Oxidation
Diborane (BH3)2 reacts with alkenes to form trialkyl boranes which are further converted to alcohol through oxidation by Hydrogen Peroxide in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The boron atom gets bonded to the sp2 hybridized carbon with the maximum number of Hydrogen. The result of the reaction appears to be opposite to the Markovnikov rule. The yield of alcohol through this reaction is very good in quantity.
Preparation of Alcohols
When one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH) are directly attached to the hydrocarbon chain then the compound formed is known as alcohol. Some examples of alcohol are phenol, methanol and ethanol.
Alcohols can be classified into various types based on the number of hydroxyl groups in the structure of the compound. These types are:
- Monohydric Alcohol: Alcohols containing only one hydroxyl group are called monohydric alcohols. For example, ethanol and methanol
- Dihydric Alcohol: Alcohols containing two hydroxyl groups are called monohydric alcohols. Example, 1,2-Ethanol.
- Trihydric Alcohol: Alcohols containing three hydroxyl groups are called monohydric alcohols. Example 1,2,3-Propanol.
- Polyhydric Alcohol: Alcohols containing more than 3 hydroxyl groups are called monohydric alcohols. Example, 1,2,3,4-Pentanol.
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