Hydroxy Compounds and Ethers - Formula Sheet

Molecular Formulas

• General Alcohols: \(C_nH_{2n+1}OH\) (where n represents the number of carbon atoms).
• General Ethers: \(C_nH_{2n+2}O\) (for saturated aliphatic ethers).
• Glycerol: \(C_3H_8O_3\) (Propane-1,2,3-triol).
• Phenol: \(C_6H_5OH\).

Reagents and Tests

• Lucas Reagent: Conc. \(HCl\) + anhydrous \(ZnCl_2\).
• Victor Meyer Sequence: \(R-OH \xrightarrow{P/I_2} R-I \xrightarrow{AgNO_2} R-NO_2 \xrightarrow{HNO_2} \dots\)
• Acidic Strength: \(RCOOH > ArOH > H_2O > ROH > RC \equiv CH\).
• Relationship between \(pK_a\) and Acidity: \(\text{Acidity} \propto 1/pK_a\) (Lower \(pK_a\) values indicate higher acidity).

Reaction Formulas

• Esterification: \(R-OH + R'-COOH \xrightarrow{H^+} R'-COOR + H_2O\).
• Williamson Synthesis: \(R-ONa + R'-X \rightarrow R-O-R' + NaX\).
• Hydroboration-Oxidation: \(3(R-CH=CH_2) + 1/2(B_2H_6) \rightarrow (R-CH_2-CH_2)_3B \xrightarrow{H_2O_2/OH^-} 3(R-CH_2-CH_2-OH)\).