Alcohols

They are organic compounds that contain a Hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a hydrocarbon.
Most of the alcohols are colorless liquids. Methyl alcohols, ethyl alcohol are liquids with fruty odors The higher alcohols those containing 4-10 carbon atoms are somewhat viscous, or oily and tey have hevier fruty odors, some of the highly branched alcohols and many alcohols  containing more than 12 carbon atoms are solid at room temperature.


Physical properties:
 - Most of the alcohol are colorless liquids at room temperature.
 - Methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol are liquids with fruity odors.
 - Alcohol that rank from 4 to 10 carbons are viscous or oily.
 - Some of the highly branched alcohols and many alcohols containing more than 12 carbon atoms.


Chemical properties:
 - Alcohols are flammable. They have a lower boiling point than similar hydrocarbons.

Types of alcohols


 - Primary alcohol
          H                R= radical
      H-C-OH        H= hydrogen
          R

 - Secondary alcohols
         H
     R-C-OH
         R

 - Tertiary alcohols
         R
     R-C-OH
         R

An example:

  

 IUPAC Name: Ethanol