CBSE Class 12 Chemistry – Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers

Chapter Overview

This chapter deals with three important classes of organic compounds – alcohols, phenols, and ethers. Students learn about their IUPAC nomenclature, classification, methods of preparation, and their distinct physical and chemical properties. The chapter also covers mechanisms of reactions like dehydration, oxidation, electrophilic substitution, and Williamson synthesis. These compounds play vital roles in daily life and industrial applications such as antiseptics, fuels, and solvents.

Important Keywords

• Alcohols: Organic compounds containing –OH group attached to saturated carbon.
• Phenols: Compounds with –OH group attached directly to an aromatic ring.
• Ethers: Compounds with –O– linkage between two alkyl or aryl groups.
• Dehydration: Elimination of water to form alkenes from alcohols.
• Oxidation: Conversion of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, or acids.
• Lucas Test: Differentiates between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.
• Electrophilic Substitution: Phenol reactions with electrophiles like NO2⁺, Br⁺.
• Williamson Synthesis: Preparation of ethers by reaction of alkoxide ion with alkyl halide.
• Reimer-Tiemann Reaction: Phenol to salicylaldehyde using chloroform and base.
• Kolbe’s Reaction: Phenol to salicylic acid using CO₂ and NaOH.