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What are Alcohols

Alcohols are organic compounds derived from hydrocarbons (organic compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen). They are formed by replacing the hydrogen atoms in their parent hydrocarbons with one or more hydroxyl groups. Each hydroxyl group (–OH) is made up of one atom of oxygen and one atom of hydrogen and is referred to as a functional group. Functional groups generally determine how a molecule will behave. Alcohols with one hydroxyl group include methanol, ethanol, and propanol.

Alcohols are named from their parent hydrocarbon by substituting the suffix -ol for the final -e. For example, ethane becomes ethanol, methane becomes methanol, and propane becomes propanol. The lower an alcohol's molecular weight that is determined by the number of carbon atoms, the more soluble it is (or the easier it can be to dissolve it) in water. A greater number of hydroxyl groups (–OH) also increases water solubility because hydrogen bonds can form between the alcohol molecules and water molecules. As the number of carbon atoms increases in an alcohol, hydrogen bonding is disturbed and its solubility in water decreases. Hydrogen bonding is also a factor for the determination of boiling points of alcohols. Hydrogen bonds can form between hydrogen and oxygen atoms in adjacent molecules of water and alcohol. When alcohols are heated, the energy needed to break these bonds determines the boiling point. The more hydroxyl groups an alcohol molecule has, the higher its boiling point.

Methanol (methyl alcohol) is the simplest of the alcohols. Also known as wood alcohol, it was originally produced by heating hardwoods to high temperatures without air (called destructive distillation). Today, methanol is produced from natural gas or synthetically from synthesis gas. Synthesis gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane obtained when heated, crushed coal is treated with superheated steam in a process called coal gasification. Methanol occupies an important place in industry. It is used in the synthesis of organic chemicals such as formaldehyde (the basis for various polymers—compounds with repeating structural units), acetic acid, and methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE, an additive that increases gasoline's oxygen content [the number used to measure the antiknock properties of a liquid motor fuel]). Methanol is also used as antifreeze in windshield washer fluid. It can be utilized directly as a fuel to replace gasoline, but it evaporates quickly and its use requires major automobile engine modifications. This alcohol is extremely toxic and can cause poisoning and blindness if ingested.

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is best known as the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages. It is produced by the fermentation (or chemical changes) of sugars and starches in fruits and some plants, using techniques that were developed thousands of years ago. In fact, ancient Egyptian papyrus scrolls exist with directions for making beer from dates and other food plants. During fermentation, glucose and other sugars from fruits, vegetables, honey, or grains such as barley are converted into alcohol through the action of yeast. Ethanol is also known as grain alcohol or simply as alcohol. Both beer (usually made from barley and flavored with hops) and wine (made from grapes and many other fruits) are products of the fermentation process. Ethanol is one of the least toxic of the alcohols, but if enough is ingested in its pure form, poisoning and even death can occur.

Ethanol is also very important in industry. It is used in the synthesis of many organic chemicals and as a solvent in the preparation of essences, tinctures, varnishes, and food extracts such as vanilla. In addition, it is used as an ingredient in perfumes, dyes, and as a skin antiseptic. Ethanol is produced for industrial use by chemically adding water to ethylene, a process called high-pressure hydration. Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and up to 10 percent ethanol, has gained some acceptance as a fuel for automobiles. Adding ethanol to gasoline increases the oxygen content of the fuel, thus lowering carbon monoxide emissions from automobiles. It also raises the octane rating of the gasoline, causing smoother fuel performance. Gasohol is mainly produced using corn, which is fermented, and the fermentation products are then distilled to yield pure ethanol.

Propanol can exist in two forms, 1-propanol (n-propyl alcohol) and 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol), because the –OH group can be attached either at the end or in the middle of the carbon atom chain. Isopropyl alcohol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol, an effective disinfectant. It is also widely used in industry as a solvent for paints and chemical processes. Ethylene glycol, with two hydroxyl groups, is very water soluble and has a relatively high boiling point. Both these properties make it ideal for use as antifreeze in automobiles. Glycerol (or glycerin) is a nontoxic, clear, syrupy liquid made from fats and oils. With its three hydroxyl groups, glycerol bonds well with water and have good moisturizing properties. It is used as an ingredient in soaps, skin lotions, and even foods. Glycerol is also used as a lubricant and in the manufacture of explosives.

The alcoholic content of a substance can be increased by distillation following fermentation. Distillation is accomplished by heating the liquid until it evaporates, then collecting the resulting vapor and returning it to a liquid state. Distillation of alcohol for medicine was established by the early twelfth century in Italy, where herbs and spices were added to the distilled product. It is believed that this practice led to the development of liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse. Later, other organic mixtures were fermented and distilled—wine into brandy, grain into whiskey, sugar mash into rum, and vodka from potatoes.

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What is the difference between sodium chloride and halite?

Hey! im doing a lab for my chemistry project. We have been given a list of compounds which are all different colors. Then we are told to predict what colors some other compounds should be by looking for dominate elements of the original compounds. The professor said we may have to research H2O2, HCl, NACl and H2SO4.

Halite is the natural mineral. Common table salt is the purified form of halite, by recrystallization. It differs from pure sodium chloride in that it has other trace minerals. It may also be artificially iodized by adding sodium iodide as an anti-goiter factor.

Natural sea salt, on the other hand, is still sodium chloride but is procured by the simple evaporation of sea water. It contains other natural minerals in the same basic percentages as sea water.

Hanfeng Comments on New Government Agriculture Initiatives
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 4, 2010) - Hanfeng Evergreen Inc. ("Hanfeng" or the "Company") (TSX:HF), a leading producer of slow and controlled release fertilizers in China, commented today on China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) recently announced Soil-Survey Based Fertilization initiative. The extensive initiative is part of China's continuing effort to promote more modern farming ...

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