An interesting isomer. Actually, as far as practical natural and industrial utilization the n-butanol is one of the most interesting. In the natural world it is a product of natural fermentation and is present in most alcoholic beverages. Although it is relatively non-toxic, some think that its presence in such drinks helps cause hangovers, because it is not metabolyzed as easily as ethanol. And homeybees secrete it as an alarm pheromone. In industry, it is used as an artificial flavoring in sweets, and in the production of a wide range of other chemicals and plastics. It is also used as a solvent (most of the alcohols are good organic solvents) for the extraction of biologicals like hormones, vitamins, and anti-biotics.
Ok I have a question for you, but I will tell you up front that it is a trick question. Think of all of the alcohols made by adding a hydroxyl group (OH) to an alkane. Let's start with pentanol. If you subtract one of the carbons from it you get butanol. subtract another carbon and you get propanol. Keep doing that until you have methanol. Now subtract another carbon, and what do you get?
Yes. Excellent. Of course water is not an "alcohol " but that hydroxyl group is responsible for many of the qualities that water and alcohol share. Depending on how far you decide to go with chemistry you will see how common and important OH is.
An interesting isomer. Actually, as far as practical natural and industrial utilization the n-butanol is one of the most interesting. In the natural world it is a product of natural fermentation and is present in most alcoholic beverages. Although it is relatively non-toxic, some think that its presence in such drinks helps cause hangovers, because it is not metabolyzed as easily as ethanol. And homeybees secrete it as an alarm pheromone. In industry, it is used as an artificial flavoring in sweets, and in the production of a wide range of other chemicals and plastics. It is also used as a solvent (most of the alcohols are good organic solvents) for the extraction of biologicals like hormones, vitamins, and anti-biotics.
ReplyDeleteOk I have a question for you, but I will tell you up front that it is a trick question. Think of all of the alcohols made by adding a hydroxyl group (OH) to an alkane. Let's start with pentanol. If you subtract one of the carbons from it you get butanol. subtract another carbon and you get propanol. Keep doing that until you have methanol. Now subtract another carbon, and what do you get?
ReplyDeleteWater?
DeleteYes. Excellent. Of course water is not an "alcohol " but that hydroxyl group is responsible for many of the qualities that water and alcohol share. Depending on how far you decide to go with chemistry you will see how common and important OH is.
ReplyDelete