Chapter 13, Problem 13.1E

Draw general formulas for an alcohol and phenol, showing the functional group.

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The general formulas for an alcohol and phenol, showing the functional group are to be drawn.

Concept introduction:

The most important organic compounds include alcohols and phenols. They occur naturally or can be obtained synthetically also. They are used for industrial and pharmaceutical purposes. An alcoholic functional group is present in alcohols and phenols.

Answer to Problem 13.1E

The general formula for alcohol and phenol are shown below.

Figure 1

Explanation of Solution

An alcohol is produced when the hydrogen atom of a hydrocarbon is replaced by a hydroxyl group ($-\text{OH}$ group). The general formula for an alcohol is $\text{R}-\text{OH}$, where $\text{R}-$ can be ${\text{CH}}_3-$, ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}-$ or any other hydrocarbon group.

However, the replacement of the hydrogen atom by an aromatic ring results in the formation of a compound known as phenol. The general formula for phenol is,

Figure 2

Conclusion

The general formula for alcohol and phenol are shown in Figure 1.